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

Chapter 452: Battle of Azure Sea Realm, Tenfold Annihilation Sword (十方寂滅劍) The Princess looked at Meng Chong's departing figure, her expression remained cool and indifferent, yet a trace of complexity lingered deep in her eyes. She then returned to the Beast-drawn carriage. The convoy continued its journey. However, among the attendants, there was one who didn't follow the convoy but instead pursued in the direction where Meng Chong and Zi Yun had left. Elder Sister Ping from the crowd was completely stunned. That was the Heavenly God Meng Chong! Zi Yun and he actually shared such a close relationship. In the instant Meng Chong appeared, how dominant and imposing he was, making the Princess lower her head and stifling the breath of numerous Immortal Heavenly Venerables. The might of a Heavenly God is truly awe-inspiring and capable of shaking people to the core! Meng Chong and Zi Yun had already left Dongyang County City when a respectful voice called from behind them, "Young Master Meng, please, hold on a moment!" Zi Yun turned to see that the person was an attendant from the Princess’s retinue, and she couldn't help but grow wary—she remembered Meng Chong mentioning the Princess's interest in him. "What is the matter?" Meng Chong asked, raising an eyebrow. "Her Highness, the Princess, wishes to speak with Young Master Meng alone." The attendant respectfully replied. "No way!" Zi Yun exclaimed. "Speak alone? What does she intend? Trying to exclude me, this is absolutely not happening!" The attendant's mouth twitched slightly and said, "If Young Master Meng has no objections, Miss Zi Yun can also come along." Zi Yun raised her head to Meng Chong, extremely nervous. Meng Chong scratched his head and asked, "When and where?" "Tonight." The attendant provided the location before respectfully taking their leave. "Meng Chong, you're going to meet her?" Zi Yun, with her hands clenched around the edge of her attire, asked. "What’s to be afraid of? We'll just see her tonight and maybe gain some good out of it. That woman has some issues with her cultivation; we'll just see if she has any treasures to offer for my advice." Meng Chong chuckled and added, "Tonight, you'll come with me to see her. Perhaps we might even gain some benefits." Zi Yun relaxed at hearing this and then curiously asked, "What problems has she encountered during her cultivation?" "You'll find out tonight. For now, tell me about what you've been up to these past years." "I've dedicated most of my time to arduous cultivation..." Zi Yun narrated her experiences, although there wasn't much to narrate, as most of her time at the Dongyang Martial Institute was spent in cultivation. "Meng Chong, quickly tell me how you offended the Myriad Treasure Alliance and how you ended up slaying many." After finishing her story, Zi Yun hung onto Meng Chong, full of excitement and curiosity, inquiring eagerly. "That's quite a long story..." Meng Chong began with his experiences from the Qinghua Realm, detailing how he was wronged and pursued by the Myriad Treasure Alliance, all the way to his breakthrough and subsequent annihilation of the pursuers. ... In the Azure Sea Realm, beyond the wilderness lay an endless sea, waves crashing with the sound of thunder, occasionally sending shockwaves against the shores. The myriad islands were like stars scattered across the Azure Sea, where humans inhabited the islands, while the sea was ruled by the Sea-Spirit Tribe, co-existing peacefully. In some cases, humans and Sea-Spirit Tribe members intermarried, and those with Sea-Spirit bloodlines were not uncommon within the Azure Sea Realm. Yuntian Island was the largest island of the Azure Sea and was the principal power governing the vast Azure Sea. The myriad islands of the Azure Sea were mostly home to sects or noble families, with stronger islands ruling over weaker ones, and Yuntian Island ruled them all. Yuntian Island was not exclusively human; it was co-governed by both humans and the Sea-Spirit Tribe, with the Azure Sea Elder's Pavilion established. Each elder was an Immortal Heavenly Venerable. The Elder’s Pavilion also bore the responsibility of nurturing Azure Sea prodigies and mediating conflicts among various powers of the Azure Sea. Any decision made by the Elder's Pavilion could not be disobeyed, highlighting how no one dared to defy the collective will of Azure Sea's Immortal Heavenly Venerables. On the seas, large ships sailed to Yuntian Island or traded between islands. The routes were fixed and were the safest passages. In Azure Sea, besides the Sea-Spirit Tribe, there were naturally sea beasts as well. Yet, their strength was limited, and there were no sea beasts beyond the True King Heavenly Venerable realm. They were all subdued by the Sea-Spirit Tribe. Yet, Azure Sea was not entirely safe. Because of the Heavenly Abyss’s existence. Within the Azure Sea Realm, three major Heavenly Abysses were in existence, the largest of which lay in the Azure Sea, ten thousand miles away from Yuntian Island, resembling a colossal black abyss. Besides the seven major heavenly abysses, there were other smaller ones, but they posed no significant threat. However, over the long years, amid the turmoil of the Heavenly Abyss, no one knows how many otherworldly enemies or beings might have escaped from the abyss, hiding within the vastness of the Azure Sea. Even though Immortal Heavenly Venerables patrol the Azure Sea periodically, they cannot ensure that all lurking foreign enemies would be detected and exterminated. Therefore, besides the fixed routes, unfamiliar sea areas were rarely ventured by large ships unless an Immortal Heavenly Venerable held the helm. The passage to the Azure Sea Realm did not lie on Yuntian Island, but on a smaller island among the seventeen adjacent major islands, using Yuntian Island as a central point. The distance between the passage and other islands like Yuntian Island was not insignificant, and even Immortal Heavenly Venerables would take two hours to reach from Yuntian Island. However, a group of True King Heavenly Venerable peak experts and one Immortal Heavenly Venerable, all dispatched by the Azure Sea Elder's Pavilion, stationed there, rotating every ten years. The interaction between the Azure Sea Realm and other realms was not very frequent, typically seeing travelers cross the passage every three to five days. As for Azure Sea Realm martial artists venturing into outer realms, their numbers were quite lesser. On this day, shadows continuously emerged from the Azure Sea Realm's passage, and among them were all Immortal Heavenly Venerables garbed in black robes enveloped with a unique aura that masked their Immortal Heavenly Venerable presence. The Immortal Heavenly Venerable stationed at the Azure Sea Realm's passage glanced at everyone, his gaze eventually landing on one among them. His expression turned somewhat complicated. Finally, he sighed and said, "The life-saving debt of the past is repaid today. You have but an hour, or else the experts from Yuntian Island will certainly arrive." "An hour is more than enough!" The individual nodded in agreement. The Azure Sea Realm Immortal Heavenly Venerable waved his hand, and in an instant, he whisked away the slumbering True King Heavenly Venerables to the nearest small island from the passage. Gazing at the sea area where the passage lay, he slightly frowned. "Who are they ambushing? For twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables to act in concert, it's quite a move. Are they ambushing a force beyond the Immortal Realm? But when did the Divine Domain have such a powerhouse arrive?" Questions filled his mind. Simultaneously, deep in his heart, he felt, "What exactly is the Tian-Sha Di-Ying faction? To bring twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables at once is indeed formidable, and several among them seem unfamiliar." At this moment, thoughts dawned upon him. "Could they be from the Tai-He Realm?" He pondered deeply, his gaze heavy. "If a ladder from the Tai-He Realm emerged, we would certainly sense it. Not sensing any disturbance, could it be during the last occurrence, individuals ventured into the Divine Domain?" The more he contemplated, the more he realized how deeply embedded the power of Tian-Sha Di-Ying might be within the Divine Domain. Standing silently on the small island, he watched the passage area. Once a battle erupted, the experts from Yuntian Island would surely perceive it and rush over. They had a mere hour. With twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables acting, one hour was plenty. Outside the island where the passage lay, twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables encircled the area entirely. In the sea and sky, their presences lurked, hidden. Four among them each deployed an artifact, arranging them within the seas, so upon activation, it could bolster Immortal Heavenly Venerable strength, confining this realm, sealing individuals within, allowing only half their strength to manifest. Additionally, this eliminated any chance of escape. "If capturing alive is feasible, do so; if not, exert full force and strike him down!" Their leader ordered solemnly. "Understood!" All the Immortal Heavenly Venerables nodded in agreement. They cloaked themselves, concealing any auras. Even if others arrived, noticing the surroundings had been enclosed would not be immediate. At this moment, twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables laid the ultimate trap, ready to ensnare their target. As soon as the person crossed the passage, they would fall into the snare. "Crossing the passage means arriving at the Azure Sea Realm. I wonder how Brother Xie is faring." Xu Yan mused while gazing at the passage. "Mystic Enchantress's Jade Bamboo is indeed a treasure, for now, my comprehension of the Dao Establishment Realm has furthered; the distance to completely understanding isn't far now." --- **Terms Translated:** 1. **Azure Sea Realm (碧海境):** The name represents a realm centered around a vast sea. It conveys the essence of the geographical location and integrates the "sea" (海) element, aligning with its environmental aspect. 2. **Yuntian Island (雲天島):** Translated as "Yuntian Island" to retain the meaning where "雲" means "cloud," and "天" means "sky," suggestive of a significant and prominent status within the sea realm, such as being elevated or heavenly. 3. **Sea-Spirit Tribe (海靈族):** The tribe name directly refers to the sea's spiritual or ethereal beings, highlighting their domain. 4. **Azure Sea Elder's Pavilion (碧海長老閣):** A governing body that integrates the name of the realm with its administrative structure. "長老閣" precisely depicts an elder’s council, which is crucial to maintaining order and authority. 5. **Heavenly Abyss (天窟):** Representing a mysterious and possibly ominous place, "天窟" holds the connotation of a celestial or heavenly cave that might link different worlds or hold dreadful powers. 6. **True King Heavenly Venerable (真王天尊):** A ranking title emphasizing the divine and regal aspects of martial prowess and stature. 7. **Tian-Sha Di-Ying (天煞地影):** Left transliterated to retain its mystical and formidable connotations without losing association to its martial or secretive organization. 8. **Mystic Enchantress's Jade Bamboo (媚巫的玉竹):** Retains the enchantress's allure along with the symbolism of "Jade" as an influential, precious material and bamboo's unique attributes in martial arts symbolism. The Jade Bamboo (玉竹) contains profound and mysterious patterns, resembling some kind of rule or even mimicking the Dao Principles. When one envisions the hollow of the Jade Bamboo as a realm unto itself, the intricate patterns are like the Dao Principles operating the heavens and earth. It's precisely due to this peculiar nature, coupled with Jade Bamboo's unique status as a treasured item, that Xu Yan frequently observes and comprehends the essence of Dao within, aiding significantly in his insights into the Dao Establishment Realm. He's consistently acted against the Tian-Sha Di-Ying, noticing their attempts to lure him to certain locations. However, Xu Yan preferred not to entertain their whims and simply eliminated those he encountered. "Even our Fifth Junior Brother knows little about the Azure Sea Realm, so we'll have to gather information on Yuntian Island once we're there." As Xu Yan proceeded towards the passage, he sent a message: "Second Senior Brother, you mentioned the Great Flame's Princess cultivates some formidable ice-type technique and encountered issues with her cultivation. The frigid energy invaded her soul, leaving her cold and detached, making her seek a robust male friend to thaw the chill through a mystical bond? "You exchanged a bottle of soul-healing elixir for some treasures from her; as long as it's an even trade, it's fine. However, that elixir alone cannot resolve her issue completely..." Through the communication, Meng Chong discussed insights related to the Great Flame Realm, including the situation with the Great Flame Princess and the various camps of martial practitioners within the Spiritual Domain. Ending his message, Xu Yan reached the passage’s entrance. “Azure Sea Realm, here I come. I wonder how Brother Xie’s strength has fared?” Xu Yan took a step into the passage. Arriving at the Azure Sea Realm, Xu Yan emerged from the passage and looked upon the boundless, vast azure waters. "Hmm?" A bright smile spread across his face. “Impressive move. I thought the Tian-Sha Di-Ying was mere child's play, yet unexpectedly, they gathered so many strong figures this time—beyond my expectations. Unfortunately, there's no one beyond the Immortal Realm, and that Tian-Seventeen didn’t make a personal appearance.” Xu Yan felt a touch of disappointment. Fearing nothing, he stepped confidently into the Azure Sea. “Bring it on, no need to hide.” Swish! Twenty figures manifested, their imposing auras shaking the heavens and earth. Around them, artifacts glowed brightly, connecting to form a vast net covering the area surrounding Xu Yan. Boom! In that instant, the world seemed to solidify. These twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables linked their vital forces and combined their imposing auras, wielding control over this realm. With the aid of their binding artifacts, any top-tier Immortal Heavenly Venerable trapped would surely meet defeat. “Xu Yan, surrender peacefully.” The leader spoke with a chilling tone. “With you lot?" Xu Yan chuckled disdainfully. Buzz! A sword’s gleam emerged, held firmly in his palm. “I’ve always been curious to know how many Immortal Heavenly Venerables I can contend with. Today seems like a perfect opportunity!” The leader’s voice turned icy, commanding, “Attack, it must be resolved within an hour!” “An hour? More than enough!” Xu Yan responded coldly. With a step forward, boom, the previously solidified space shattered like a dragon breaking its chains, causing the once solidified world to collapse. Within an instant, every Immortal Heavenly Venerable turned alarmed. “Attack with full force, kill him!” The leader commanded sternly. Crack! Crack! Crack! As Xu Yan moved, the great net formed by the artifacts crumbled, and the solidification force vanished. Boom! The Azure Sea roared as waves surged. A massive wave rolled forward. Xu Yan raised his hand, “Let the Azure Sea’s waves become my sword!” Boom! The rolling waves abruptly transformed into a massive sword spanning the skies, crashing down with force. In all directions over the Azure Sea, pillars of water shot skyward, transforming into colossal swords that stood between heaven and earth, emanating a fierce, piercing Sword Intent. Each giant sword bore a unique Sword Intent, yet interconnected on a deeper level. Boom! Even the island where the passage lay, at this moment, transformed into a giant sword, standing between heaven and earth. The Azure Sea passage transformed into a suspended void over the sea. The Tian-Sha Di-Ying Immortal Heavenly Venerables felt their hearts sink. What kind of terrifying technique was this? What sort of Sword Dao? Had Xu Yan grown so fearfully powerful? A far-off Immortal Heavenly Venerable from the Azure Sea Realm stood dumbfounded, his skin prickling with dread, feeling his heart tremor. Who was this target that the Tian-Sha Di-Ying aimed to attack? He could only see massive swords standing over the sea from the passage’s location, emanating terrifying, murderous intent. Even from a great distance, it made his heart pound in shock. “What Sword Dao is this?” It was terrifying! “An hour? An hour will see the ambushers fall, wouldn't it?” Muttering to himself, the more he thought, the more dreadful it felt. Twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables, yet could they not withstand this? Did the brains of Tian-Sha Di-Ying's Immortal Heavenly Venerables malfunction? Attempting to assassinate such a monstrous entity, confidently claiming it would take an hour? It certainly would, but to annihilate you, not the opponent!! The Azure Sea Realm Immortal Heavenly Venerable thought, deeply shaken. A clear voice then reverberated back. “Today, let me test my newly comprehended Tenfold Annihilation Sword (十方寂滅劍) on you!” With those words, sword light engulfed the realm surrounding the passage. The essence of annihilation shook the surroundings, conveying a sense of being in an apocalyptic catastrophe, where annihilation felt imminent, even from a great distance. --- **Terms Translated:** 1. **Jade Bamboo (玉竹):** Kept the term, as it emphasizes the mystical nature and rarity of the item, suggesting its precious value in both physical and spiritual terms. 2. **Mystical Patterns (玄奧紋路):** Represents the complex and profound designs within the Jade Bamboo, potentially symbolizing universal laws or rules akin to the Dao. 3. **Sword Dao (剑道):** Translated directly to convey its reference to the way or path of the sword within martial arts lore. 4. **Tenfold Annihilation Sword (十方寂滅劍):** A powerful sword technique with destructive capabilities, reflecting the original’s intended powerful and ominous nature. 5. **Mystic Enchantress's Jade Bamboo (媚巫的玉竹):** Kept the original translation to convey the mystique and allure associated with both the enchantress and the formidably rare treasure. 6. **Blood Energies/Robust Male Friendship (神交):** Reflecting the spiritual or mystical connection sought to resolve internal disputes of yin and yang energies, implying that human interaction is necessary beyond mere elixirs. 7. **Heaven and Earth (天地):** Emphasized spatial elements within cultivation realms, denoting transformation and dynamic shifts within these holistic concepts. 8. **Dao Principles (道則):** As universal laws guiding the philosophical and metaphysical practices within the universe or martial realms. 9. **Essence of Dao (道韻之意):** Refers to the intrinsic aura or deeper meaning realized through comprehending the Dao. **Puns and Wordplay:** The concept of "Jade Bamboo" and its "Mystical Patterns" suggests a duality with universality, where the microcosm of the item mirrors the cosmological operations of the world, similar to puns connecting personal realizations to universal truths—a feature often present in Daoist or traditional philosophies depicted in works like this. **Required Changes to Existing Terms:** No changes required in the list above, as all terms have been upheld within their expected domains. The context indicates additional terms related to sword techniques and jade items, yet these are compatible with the established lore and vocabulary.