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

Chapter 457: A Fierce Reputation Spreads, The Trade with the Wanbao Alliance Jiang Buping's figure vanished in a blink, leaving only an awe-inspiring spear, radiating terrifying cold light across the battlefield. From a distance, spectators heard the roars of those top Immortal Heavenly Venerables, unleashing horrifying auras. However, amidst the fierce battles, an occasional shriek echoed as a body fell from the sky. The battle didn’t last long. With one final scream, a lone figure remained in the sky, holding a long spear, standing proudly, his sharpness unmatched. The few observing Immortal Heavenly Venerables trembled all over, their faces deathly pale. Among those who had attacked Jiang Buping, there were some they recognized, even some who were their seniors, yet now, all who had ambushed were dead. It was as if it were a one-sided massacre. Several top Immortal Heavenly Venerables joined forces, using defensive artifacts, yet still found themselves woefully inadequate. Those True King Heavenly Venerables were even more stunned, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads, not daring to move an inch, fearful of any misunderstanding that might lead to their death by a single spear thrust. They were petrified that Jiang Buping, in a fit of murderous rage, might even slaughter them, the onlookers! One man, one spear, slaughter unmatched! At this moment, they recalled two other names, Xu Yan and Meng Chong. Those two fierce figures, killing Immortal Heavenly Venerables as easily as swatting flies, were now joined by another. The Taikun Abandon, Jiang Buping! How did Shen Domain suddenly produce three such monstrous talents? The once renowned great geniuses were not even worthy to carry these three’s shoes! Jiang Buping waved a hand, and all the corpses turned to dust and vanished. "If you wish to covet the so-called secret techniques of Jiang Buping, you better consider if you have the life to!" Jiang Buping declared coldly. "Jiang Tianming and Yun Yaner, await my arrival at the Taikun Realm. Use whatever tricks you have!" With that, Jiang Buping strode away. This ambush wasn't the first, nor would it be the last. As always, upon entering a realm, Jiang Buping inevitably headed to the Heavenly Abyss, either to gather Unyielding Qi or to hone his Extreme Soul Martial Path, collecting various treasures. The Taikun Abandon Jiang Buping, his fierce reputation spread far and wide. Within a Heavenly Abyss, Jiang Buping, alone with his spear, slaughtered the Unyielding True Spirits, collecting Unyielding Qi. In just a few days, he had eradicated all the powerful Unyielding True Spirits in this abyss, single-handedly sweeping the area clean. Emerging from this abyss, Jiang Buping made his way to the next. This was a Witch Demon Abyss, and after killing the witch demon avatar there and collecting treasures, he left. Outside the realm gate, chains stretched across, sealing off the area. These chains, condensed by the Laws of Heaven and Earth, were held by figures whose aura melded with the chains. Besides the chains, layers of light formed barriers, each guarded by a figure. Moreover, sharp lights flickered faintly, various powerful martial energies interweaving. This was an absolute death battlefield! Over twenty Immortal Heavenly Venerables each shouldered their task, and behind them, hundreds of peak True King Heavenly Venerable martial artists stood. Their entire strength and aura merged into the Laws of Heaven and Earth, reinforcing the chains, strengthening the layers of light-formed barriers. And at the center of this deadly ground stood a figure holding a long spear. "Jiang Buping, we’ll give you one opportunity to hand over the secret techniques!" Jiang Buping’s gaze was cold, his spear slightly raised, and he sneered, "You all? If what you have set up was a formidable killing array, I might have hesitated. But with this garbage technique, you dare obstruct me?" "Jiang Buping, if you're seeking death, we’ll grant it!" Boom! The power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth manifested chains, instantly coiling from all directions, attempting to bind Jiang Buping! Meanwhile, the barriers formed by layers of light blazed brightly, designed to ward off Jiang Buping’s soul-killing techniques! "Hmph!" Jiang Buping snorted, his figure suddenly dissipating, merging into the forces of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. All the Immortal Heavenly Venerables were stunned. What was happening? Did Jiang Buping self-destruct? "Retreat quickly!" Suddenly, one of the chain-holding Immortal Heavenly Venerables yelled, his expression dramatically changing! But it was too late! Beside him, another chain-holding Immortal Heavenly Venerable was killed by a spear thrust from the chain! Without even issuing a scream, his soul was utterly annihilated! At that moment, all the powerhouses were terrified. Jiang Buping had merged into the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth? "Hurry, seal him and kill him!" An enraged Immortal Heavenly Venerable roared. Boom! The chains formed by the Laws of Heaven and Earth shook, transforming into a killing force. All the Immortal Heavenly Venerables attacked frantically, pouring out their entire strength, seeking to obliterate Jiang Buping within those chains. Though unsure of how Jiang Buping managed to merge with the law chains without suffering effects, it was nonetheless an opportunity for slaughter! Buzz! The laws of the chains, initially just chains, suddenly transformed into intense killing intent. Slash! However, the Immortal Heavenly Venerable who had been killed and whose soul was annihilated suddenly attacked his neighbor. "You?" The adjacent Immortal Heavenly Venerable looked astounded, instinctively assuming betrayal by a comrade. At that moment, he saw a spear gleaming within his soul vision! Puff! In his shocked gaze, his soul was entirely extinguished. And the body of the attacker swiftly turned to dust and vanished. "What is going on?" The remaining Immortal Heavenly Venerables were suddenly filled with doubt and uncertainty. Before they could comprehend the situation, the just killed Immortal Heavenly Venerable suddenly sprang forth, attacking another. Puff! Another slain with a single strike! "It's Jiang Buping!" At last, the remaining Immortal Heavenly Venerables awoke, realizing in horror! Jiang Buping had indeed taken over the slain Immortal Heavenly Venerable’s body! How had he done it? At that moment, all recalled the spear released from the law chain, which targeted their companion! And at that instant, Jiang Buping seized the other's body! What method was this? Did Jiang Buping have no physical body? But no matter how one looked, Jiang Buping didn’t appear to be a soul entity. If he lacked a body, leaving only a soul, how could he possess such power? How did he grow strong and survive such a harsh battlefield? Boom! Terrified, the remaining Immortal Heavenly Venerables saw the law chains formed again, twisting around the occupied body of the Immortal Heavenly Venerable. Bang! Suddenly, the body of that Immortal Heavenly Venerable turned to dust! Buzz! And the spear gleam followed the law chains, striking forth. Jiang Buping’s form reappeared in everyone’s view. "You, with your petty tricks, think to trap me? To kill me?" Jiang Buping laughed coldly, thrusting his spear, unleashing continuous Extreme Soul Martial Dao divine arts. He had just used the power to merge with the laws of Heaven and Earth, assassinating the Immortal Heavenly Venerables, using the other's body to conceal his presence and strike enemies. What he displayed was one of the divine arts of the Extreme Soul Martial Dao. The battle continued. It was slaughter, ruthless slaughter! In the distance from the battlefield, two figures silently watched the battle, their expressions both excited and slightly pained. "So strong, it has to be Jiang Buping, no matter the cost of treasure!" One of them spoke deeply. "Then him, but hopefully he agrees!" "He must have honed a soul-centric practice. That treasure should appeal to him." "However, though connected to the soul, it is unusable, irreducible. If he finds out, would he still agree?" "Jiang Buping’s soul techniques are likely powerful beyond compare, and for such a prodigy, potent treasures, no matter how difficult to use, are irresistible and worth a try." "You’re right, Jiang Buping it is." After finishing their exchange, they quietly watched, awaiting the battle’s end. The fight had no suspense; even with attackers using numerous treasures, meticulous planning, and sacrificing to unleash secret techniques, the outcome remained unchanged. --- New terms and translations: 1. **Jiang Tianming (姜天铭)** and **Yun Yaner (云烟儿)**: Proper names, key figures Jiang Buping threatens to face in the Taikun Realm. 2. **Unyielding True Spirits (不化真靈)**: This was translated to represent spirits in the Heavenly Abyss Jiang Buping is hunting and collecting qi from. 3. **Unyielding Qi (不化之气)**: The essence Jiang Buping collects from Unyielding True Spirits, signifying a rare and powerful energy crucial in the narrative. 4. **Taikun Abandon (太崑棄子)**: A title given to Jiang Buping, marking his fierce reputation and status. 5. **Witch Demon Abyss (巫魔天窟)**: A specific abyss in the story, significant for Jiang Buping's exploits and treasure collecting. 6. **Wanbao Alliance (萬寶盟)**: Translated as "Wanbao Alliance," an entity potentially engaging in trade with Jiang Buping, indicating a vast, treasure-related faction. The terms were chosen based on their context in the narrative, striving to preserve original intentions and significances that are crucial for understanding Jiang Buping's confrontations and alliances. These translations aim to maintain authenticity while providing clarity in an English setting. Until the last opponent, terrified, turned to flee desperately, only to be slain with a single spear thrust, and thus the battle concluded. All involved in the ambush had been thoroughly annihilated, reduced to dust. Yet another battle concluded, Jiang Buping's expression remained calm, but he knew this wasn't the last battle. With the end of this fight, future attackers would undoubtedly be stronger and better prepared. Only by killing to the point of terror, shattering their spirits, and instilling fear in those who dare covet him, would this episode conclude. The path to the Taikun Realm was destined to be paved with slaughter. "The Extreme Soul Martial Dao is inherently a path of killing. So, let’s hone and grow stronger through battle," Jiang Buping thought quietly. He looked up in a certain direction, his figure vanished instantly and appeared before the two observing Immortal Heavenly Venerables. "Jiang Xiaoyou, hold your hand. We mean no harm!" exclaimed the two observers, cold sweat all but dripping off them, having not anticipated Jiang Buping detecting them. "Oh, no harm?" Jiang Buping raised an eyebrow. "If there's indeed no ill will, then go." These two were merely observing, and he sensed no malice from their presence. Since they weren't enemies, Jiang Buping wasn’t one to kill the innocent indiscriminately. "Jiang Xiaoyou, we are here to propose a trade with you, would you be interested?" one of them spoke up. "A trade?" Jiang Buping's expression turned cold with a hint of disdain as he replied, "Do you really think I possess some sort of secret technique? The Extreme Soul Martial Dao isn't something you people can cultivate." "Xiaoyou misunderstands, we're not here regarding any so-called secret techniques. This trade is about something else entirely." "Not interested!" Jiang Buping shook his head. Since it wasn't an attempt to trade for a so-called secret technique, there was nothing to discuss. If it had been, he would have skewered them without hesitation! "Hold on, Xiaoyou, the trade involves treasures that will surely please you." Jiang Buping paused, looking back with a smile, "What treasure could possibly satisfy me? Tell me, who are you two?" "Of course, of course!" The two Immortal Heavenly Venerables breathed a sigh of relief. The one who first spoke continued, "I won't hide it from you, Xiaoyou. We are both Elders of the Wanbao Alliance. I am Hong Yi, and this here is Hong Er." Elders of the Wanbao Alliance, weren’t they opponents of his Second Senior Brother’s faction? "So, Elders of the Wanbao Alliance, what trade are you proposing, and with what treasure?" Jiang Buping suspected he already knew. "This time, our Wanbao Alliance wishes to trade a rare soul treasure, requesting Jiang Xiaoyou’s assistance once," Hong Yi declared solemnly. "A soul treasure? Ordinary soul treasures don't interest me." Jiang Buping was becoming more convinced of his suspicions. "We understand that. However, this soul treasure is extremely unique. Even with our soul powers, we can't refine it. But simply cultivating near it for an extended period can enhance soul power. "This soul treasure was obtained from hunting an External True Spirit in a Heavenly Abyss, said to be the spirit crystal of the External True Spirit. Yet, it doesn’t contain Unyielding Qi..." Hong Yi described the soul treasure. Upon hearing this, Jiang Buping was instantly intrigued. Although Immortal Heavenly Venerables couldn't utilize it, he, as an Extreme Soul practitioner, could even use Unyielding Qi for cultivation, let alone a soul treasure. And based on Hong Yi's words, this soul treasure had unique properties akin to metals. If refined into his Extreme Soul Weapon, it might significantly enhance its power. "... Xiaoyou, what do you think? Of course, aside from this soul treasure, the Wanbao Alliance will also offer additional treasures. If Xiaoyou has any conditions, feel free to express them," Hong Yi asked nervously. "The terms are good, and the soul treasure interests me. But who exactly do you want me to deal with?" Jiang Buping pondered before asking. Upon hearing this, Hong Yi rejoiced, "Our Wanbao Alliance wishes Jiang Xiaoyou to target Tian Shen Meng Chong!" Though his expression remained unchanged, Jiang Buping’s internal thoughts confirmed his suspicions. The Wanbao Alliance had hesitated to retaliate, likely due to fearing his Second Senior Brother's prowess. Witnessing Jiang Buping's strength, they made their decision. However, the Wanbao Alliance didn’t know Meng Chong was his Second Senior Brother, and they were fellow disciples. "Tian Shen Meng Chong is mighty, a formidable foe indeed. I’ll need some time to consider," Jiang Buping did not immediately refuse. He took out a communication talisman to contact his Second Senior Brother. "Second Senior Brother, the Wanbao Alliance approached me, asking me to take action against you. They’re offering a soul treasure in exchange..." "That’s a good deal, Fifth Junior Brother. Agree to it and secure the soul treasure," his Senior Brother replied. "But Second Senior Brother, if I agree and then don't follow through, wouldn’t that be..." "It’s a minor issue. We can have a sparring match; just say you’ll try but can’t guarantee a victory. Free treasures shouldn’t be turned down. Once we spar, I will use that as leverage to extort another batch from the Wanbao Alliance. It's a win-win!" Reading the message, Jiang Buping envisioned his Second Senior Brother’s bold demeanor, amazed by his unexpected strategic mind. He put away the communication talisman and looked towards the anxious Hong Yi and Hong Er, speaking deeply, "I can take action, but I can’t guarantee a win. You’re aware of Tian Shen's renowned power. I can only promise to do my best. "Of course, the soul treasure must be handed over by the Wanbao Alliance first; it might enhance my capabilities a bit!" --- New terms and translations: 1. **Wanbao Alliance (萬寶盟)**: It's an organization within the narrative having dealings with Jiang Buping. The term was translated to English to represent a faction known for dealing in treasures and likely power struggles. 2. **Hong Yi (洪一)** and **Hong Er (洪二)**: Proper names, Elders from the Wanbao Alliance attempting to negotiate with Jiang Buping. Their identification as 'Elder' highlights their roles within the alliance and the hierarchy. 3. **External True Spirit (天外真靈)**: Referring to a mystical or celestial being Jiang Buping might encounter, indicating a level of formidable presence beyond ordinary spirits. 4. **Soul Treasure (神魂秘寶)**: Translated as such to depict the uniquely powerful and rare artifact offered to Jiang Buping, essential for cultivating soul power. These translations chosen maintain narrative integrity, ensuring essence and intent are aligned with the original text. The balance between direct translation and cultural context has been aimed to preserve narrative tone and depth, particularly regarding Jiang Buping’s strategic intrigue and alliance negotiations.