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

Chapter 456: The Power of the Extreme Soul, The Beginning of Slaughter In the Great Yan Realm, Meng Chong lingered at the Dongyang Martial Institute, seemingly idle apart from instructing Zi Yun in her cultivation. With his notorious reputation, ordinary experts dared not approach him. "Has the Wanbao Alliance chickened out?" Meng Chong felt a tinge of disappointment, as the Wanbao Alliance had yet to seek revenge on him. "Even the fifth junior brother is now famed in the Divine Domain." Among the five senior and junior brothers, only the third junior sister and fourth junior brother hadn't yet gained renown in the Divine Domain. However, in the Qinghua Realm, they were household names, being founders of the Qinghua Sect. "Surely, before long, the third junior sister and fourth junior brother will also become famous throughout the Divine Domain, no, across the world!" Whether it be Fang Hao's arrays and refining tools or Su Lingxiu's alchemy, they were destined to shake the martial world to its core. Currently, Su Lingxiu and Fang Hao were just managing affairs in the Qinghua Realm, but once the Qinghua Sect made its presence known in the Divine Domain, it would undoubtedly astonish countless powerful figures. "Young Master Meng, I've finished the medicinal pills. Could I purchase more?" Zhou Qingshuang arrived, her demeanor still cold and aloof. Meng Chong glanced at her and said, "The problem with your divine soul requires specialized elixirs for resolution. While the pills I have are effective, they are not enough to cure you, no matter how many you consume." He needed to keep some pills in reserve for emergencies, so he couldn't sell them all to Zhou Qingshuang. "Where might I acquire such elixirs?" Zhou Qingshuang asked, filled with hope. The elixirs were truly miraculous, surpassing any divine medicine currently available in the Divine Domain's martial world. "They're crafted by my junior sister." Meng Chong paused before adding, "My junior sister is quite busy at the moment and dislikes being disturbed, so I won't tell you where she is for now. When she has some free time, I'll let you know." Zhou Qingshuang showed a look of disappointment but didn't dare press the matter. "When my junior sister is available, she'll surely be willing to see you. She's very interested in rare and peculiar ailments," Meng Chong added. He spoke truthfully, for when he relayed Zhou Qingshuang's situation to Su Lingxiu, it piqued her curiosity. However, occupied with matters concerning the Divine Furnace, she was temporarily unavailable. "Thank you very much!" Zhou Qingshuang expressed her gratitude. "A trivial matter." Meng Chong laughed lightly. Zi Yun stood to the side, vigilantly eyeing Zhou Qingshuang, as if guarding against a thief. Zhou Qingshuang, always composed and indifferent, showed no signs of awkwardness. It seemed she didn't feel awkward at all; otherwise, she wouldn't continue chatting with Meng Chong under the guise of seeking martial wisdom. The old woman accompanying Zhou Qingshuang hurried over, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated. "What is it? Just say it, Young Master Meng isn't considered an outsider!" Zhou Qingshuang spoke up. "Since it's a royal family secret, perhaps we shouldn't listen, Meng Chong. We are outsiders, after all. Let's step aside." Hearing this, Zi Yun quickly tugged Meng Chong to leave. What nonsense about not being outsiders—the princess, this woman, harbors ill intentions! Zi Yun thought to herself. Meng Chong wasn't one for idle gossip. Zhou Qingshuang was merely being polite, but he couldn't help but avoid suspicion, preparing to leave with Zi Yun. Seeing the princess's urging gaze, the old woman quickly spoke, "Princess, the discarded child of the Jiang clan in the Tai-Kun Realm, Jiang Buping, has his divine soul tainted with the Unyielding Qi. Not only did he not lose his mind, but his power has become extraordinarily strong. Perhaps he knows a method to solve your problem." Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingshuang's cold demeanor broke for the first time, and with her emotional fluctuation, her divine soul power wavered, a faint chilling aura emanating. Meng Chong, about to leave, halted and turned to listen. "You mean, Jiang Buping's soul is tainted with the Unyielding Qi, yet he remains sane and even stronger?" Zhou Qingshuang asked, astonished. "Yes, Princess. This matter has spread across the Divine Domain, and several major forces are considering banding together to seize Jiang Buping's secret. Some are already looking to approach the Great Yan. This is an opportunity, Princess," the old woman nodded solemnly. "Explain everything in detail," Zhou Qingshuang said, noting Meng Chong's apparent interest. "Yes, Princess!" The old woman proceeded to recount Jiang Buping's story, including his formidable divine soul secret arts, and how several major forces were planning to get Jiang Buping's secret. "This is unusual. If I truly want a solution for my divine soul, I should come with treasures and seek his help. Resorting to force is inadvisable!" Zhou Qingshuang frowned as she spoke. "Princess, your intention?" "Since Jiang Buping possesses such strength, even united powerful forces cannot achieve what they want. And if Jiang Buping escapes, they'll face revenge," Zhou Qingshuang mused, drawing parallels with Meng Chong and that famed Sword God Xu Yan. Such formidable beings are not easily besieged. Meng Chong listened, a fierce glint in his eyes. Were some of the major forces in the Divine Domain planning to target his fifth junior brother? This was suicidal! "Young Master Meng, what's your opinion?" Zhou Qingshuang turned to Meng Chong. Unless Meng Chong would intervene, there was no hope otherwise. Meng Chong sneered. "A bunch of miserably weak souls think they can encircle and annihilate my junior brother? My junior brother’s martial arts, centered around slaughtering the soul, will tear through the Divine Domain's divine soul defenses as if they were mere paper!" Zhou Qingshuang and the old woman were visibly stunned. Jiang Buping is Meng Chong's junior brother? And Xu Yan is his senior brother? The three infamous rising figures in the Divine Domain are fellow disciples? "So he is Young Master Meng's junior brother, no wonder he's so powerful," Zhou Qingshuang sighed. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "I heard the Tai-Kun Jiang clan's prodigy was once crippled. How did he rise again? And how can a soul tainted with the Unyielding Qi recover?" Curiosity getting the better of her, Zhou Qingshuang asked without expecting a response since it was a sensitive issue. Meng Chong chuckled. "A mere Unyielding Qi. The martial art my master imparted to my junior brother allows him to integrate the Unyielding Qi into his soul's transformation. If you seek a solution from him, it’s impossible; you won’t be able to learn it. Only my junior sister can resolve your issue." Zhou Qingshuang and the old woman were once again taken aback. What kind of powerful figure was Meng Chong's master to solve the Unyielding Qi problem? Such a formidable master's disciple was not someone to be easily provoked. "Thank you, Young Master Meng, for enlightening me. I have pressing matters, so I'll take my leave," Zhou Qingshuang said and hurriedly left with the old woman. She needed to dissuade the Great Yan from getting involved, as the consequences could be unpredictable. Having the fierce Meng Chong in Great Yan, and thinking of besieging his junior brother, how could Meng Chong let that go unpunished? Though Great Yan is strong, they must weigh the consequences of Meng Chong's possible retaliation. Meng Chong smiled and took out a communication talisman to contact Jiang Buping. "Junior Brother, do you need my assistance?" "Thank you, senior brother. My Extreme Soul martial path is about to display its might. Even if I am outmatched, I can still escape." "In that case, I’ll wait for you in the Tai-Kun Realm!" Meng Chong put away the communication talisman. Having stayed in Great Yan for some time, it was about time to leave and continue his journey across the Divine Domain, also waiting for the Wanbao Alliance to come seeking revenge. "Meng Chong, you're leaving?" Zi Yun looked reluctant. "If you don’t want to stay in the Great Yan, head to the Qinghua Realm." Meng Chong mussed her hair and said, “Go with Zhou Qingshuang. With your master's jade talisman, your safety is ensured.” "I understand!" Zi Yun nodded. ... "Jiang Tianming, Yun Yan'er, are you afraid, and that's why you're spreading news, hoping the Divine Domain's powerful beings will remove me?" Jiang Buping listened to the nearby martial artists' discussions, all centered on his soul stained with the Unyielding Qi, surprisingly remaining lucid and even growing stronger. The major forces of the Divine Domain were tempted, wanting to seize this supposed secret. There was no one else but Jiang Tianming and Yun Yan'er responsible for disseminating this information. As for the Tai-Kun Jiang clan, they would rather keep the secret to themselves, so why spread it? "Let's see how many reckless ones come to me for any supposed secret," Jiang Buping sneered. He stepped through the realm gate, moving on to the next realm, his destination—the Tai-Kun Realm! Realm after realm, he journeyed through, eventually reaching the Tai-Kun Realm to seek an explanation. As for whether Jiang Tianming and Yun Yan'er would flee, Jiang Buping was not worried; there were only so many places they could hide in the Divine Domain. --- **New Terms:** 1. **Great Yan Realm (大炎境)**: A significant realm in the story, translating to "Great Yan Realm." The term "Great Yan" was chosen to connote strength and grandeur. 2. **Dongyang Martial Institute (東陽武院)**: An institute or academy for martial training and study, where Meng Chong is staying. 3. **Wanbao Alliance (萬寶盟)**: A possibly antagonistic organization considering revenge on Meng Chong. Translated as "Wanbao Alliance" to signify a group centered around treasures or valuable items. 4. **Qinghua Realm (青華境)**: Another realm, named for its natural beauty and association with the Qinghua Sect. 5. **Qinghua Sect (青華宗)**: A sect established by Meng Chong's fellow disciples, indicative of its prominence in their current realm. 6. **Unyielding Qi (不化之氣)**: A mysterious and potentially harmful force affecting souls, central to the plot’s conflict. 7. **Tai-Kun Realm (太崑境)**: Another significant realm, likely involved with Jiang Buping's backstory and current conflicts. 8. **Jiang Buping (姜不平)**: Male character, Meng Chong's junior brother, with a notable storyline related to overcoming Unyielding Qi. 9. **Zhou Qingshuang (周清霜)**: Female character, seeks a cure for her damaged divine soul. 10. **Yun Yan'er (雲烟儿)**: Female character, potentially involved in spreading secrets about Jiang Buping. 11. **Jiang Tianming (姜天铭)**: Male character, also involved in the dissemination of information about Jiang Buping’s state. 12. **Extreme Soul Martial Path (極魂武道)**: Jiang Buping's martial practice, centered on utilizing "Extreme Soul" power. --- **Explanation:** The translations aim to retain the essence and tone of the original narrative while clearly presenting new concepts to English readers. The terms related to places and organizations often keep their original names in English transliteration when they hold significant cultural or contextual weight in the story. Additionally, the translation assumes a context where Meng Chong, his siblings, and Jiang Buping are powerful and relevant figures, explaining the dynamics and conflicts within the narrative. With his breakthrough in power, Jiang Buping now saw Immortal Heavenly Venerables as insignificant beings, akin to mere chickens and dogs. Even if they had cultivated arts to defend their spirits, they were still no match for him. The Extreme Soul Martial Path granted him a decisive advantage in any encounter with warriors from the Tai-Cang Realm; in the same realm, it was a crushing superiority. The divine soul was both difficult to harm and to defend. Once he could specifically target and sever divine souls, the weak defenses of Tai-Cang martial artists would be rendered utterly ineffective. "Jiang Buping?" Emerging from the realm gate, Jiang Buping encountered several formidable figures surrounding him. Their energies intertwined, commanding the heavens and the earth, imposing their will over all directions with overwhelming power. Each one was a top-tier Immortal Heavenly Venerable, equipped with artifacts for defending their divine souls. "We mean you no harm. We only require you to share the technique that allows you to remain unaffected by the Unyielding Qi. In return, we promise to back you when you seek revenge in the Tai-Kun Realm!" One of the Immortal Heavenly Venerables spoke in a deep voice. Jiang Buping smirked disdainfully. "Are you even worthy?" "Jiang Buping, your divine soul technique might be formidable, but do you really think you alone can withstand the combined might of several of us? We have also trained in divine soul techniques and carry soul-protecting artifacts. Even if our techniques aren't as powerful as yours, defeating us is impossible!" Boom! The Immortal Heavenly Venerables' aura surged, casting a faint glow around their heads, shielding their souls from assault. "And you miserable creatures dare to threaten me?" Jiang Buping's expression was icy, wielding the Extreme Soul Spear in his hand. "And who gave you the courage to come and besiege me? Today, you'll learn that what I've cultivated is not mere divine soul arts, but the Extreme Soul Martial Path!" At this moment, an extreme aura of slaughter emanated from Jiang Buping. The spear in his hand radiated an intense sharpness, targeting the soul and consciousness. In the distance, other Immortal Heavenly Venerables and several True King Heavenly Venerables were observing the battle. The news of top-tier Immortal Heavenly Venerables working together to besiege Jiang Buping had already spread, attracting numerous powerful spectators. "So powerful!" Even from afar, the True King Heavenly Venerables felt a chilling terror reach their souls the moment they saw that spear. "Extreme Soul Martial Path? What technique is this? Why have we never heard of it?" "Is this why Jiang Buping is unaffected by the Unyielding Qi?" The onlooking Immortal Heavenly Venerables exchanged grave looks. Jiang Buping's displayed prowess gave them the impression he could annihilate their souls with a single strike! "Foolhardy!" The besieging Immortal Heavenly Venerables also felt a strong sense of danger, unable to afford any negligence. Boom! With the flick of a hand, light bloomed across the sky, as a sharp aura manifested in mid-air, exuding a chilling presence. "Jiang Buping, let’s see how you withstand this strike from us!" This sharp aura was jointly unleashed by the Immortal Heavenly Venerables, a secret technique aiming to slaughter the soul. "A mere trick!" Jiang Buping scorned, a mere point of his spear, and starry light burst forth. Buzz! The technique, Star Extermination! The sharp aura pierced through, flying towards Jiang Buping, and seemingly struck his body. The Immortal Heavenly Venerables who attacked revealed gleeful expressions—Jiang Buping seemed unable to block the assault. "No good!" However, one Immortal Heavenly Venerable, witnessing a terrifying shooting light engulfing him, hastily activated his soul defense artifact. A small, mirror-like divine artifact appeared at his brow. A divine soul defense artifact. In that instant, he saw specks of starlight unfurl, giving his soul a sense of annihilation. In panic, he furiously activated the artifact while invoking his soul technique. "Quick, aid me!" The other Immortal Heavenly Venerables, seeing their companion's panic, rushed to empower his defenses with their energy. Crack! The mirror at his brow shattered as a spear, gleaming with starry light, pierced through multilayered defenses, stabbing into his soul. Buzz! As the spear light blossomed, it tore a large hole in the soul, rapidly spreading until the divine soul dissolved in moments! "Ah!" A harrowing cry echoed across the expanse, sending shivers down the spines of all who heard it. Such agony spoke volumes of the horror behind it. And the source of the scream was indeed a top-tier Immortal Heavenly Venerable! All defenses, under such a spear, were as frail as paper, collapsing instantly! Pfft! A lifeless body plummeted to the ground, its soul obliterated, leaving an empty shell. "How are you unharmed?" The remaining assailants, aghast, gazed at Jiang Buping in horror. Their combined soul technique had clearly struck Jiang Buping, yet he appeared untouched? "Your so-called soul attack techniques don't even compare to a mosquito bite on me!" Jiang Buping mocked. "One down, now it's your turn!" Fixing his gaze on another attacker, Jiang Buping fired another spear. The technique, Slaughter God! The targeted Immortal Heavenly Venerable felt a blazing spear lunging for his soul, a relentless death threat looming. Roar! He let out a desperate shout; in this life-threatening moment, he resorted to a hidden technique. With vital essence burning, his soul took on a blood-red hue, his aura suddenly towering and eerie. This time, the remaining attackers didn't bolster his defenses. Instead, they attacked Jiang Buping frantically! --- **New Terms:** 1. **Star Extermination (星滅)**: A powerful martial technique used by Jiang Buping, illustrating his capability to destroy divine souls with pinpoint precision. This term emphasizes the annihilative nature of the attack, equating it with the obliteration of stars, indicating its vast power. 2. **Slaughter God (戮神)**: Another martial technique from Jiang Buping, highlighting his ability to mortally wound or involve destruction, especially when targeting the soul. The term portrays a divine level of lethality, aligned with the context of divine martial prowess. **Explanation:** The translation maintains the epic tone, capturing how Jiang Buping's opponents are underestimated despite their supposed strength. The terms associated with Jiang Buping's techniques reflect their formidable and supernatural nature, enhancing the narrative's intensity and intrigue.