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

Chapter 472: Tai Cang is Dead, Great Wilderness Shall Rise Li Xuan, upon hearing this, knew that what Tian Zi was about to elucidate would unveil the reasons behind the changes in Heaven and Earth, as well as the fate of Tai Cang. Such a legendary figure, could he have already fallen? He recalled the scenes Xu Yan witnessed while traversing the wilderness and that towering figure. Could that figure be Tai Cang himself? If even someone as powerful as Tai Cang has fallen, what kind of formidable enemy could that be? Moreover, could it be possible that even with the combined might of Tai Cang and six others, they were unable to defeat that presence? "Tai Cang and his followers discovered a powerful aura originating from the depths of the Unyielding Ground beyond Heaven, which seemed to loom closer but soon paused at a certain point within the Unyielding Ground. [Remember our website domain Taiwan Novel Network → twkan.com] "Initially, Tai Cang and his companions believed that it was a dormant, powerful Unyielding True Spirit within the Unyielding Ground, so they didn't pay much attention. "Years went by unfathomably, and one day, an extremely powerful aura surged through the Unyielding Ground. Tai Cang immediately prepared to investigate. "However, an unexpected turn of events occurred." At this juncture, Tian Zi's expression turned gravely serious, speaking in a low voice: "The Blaze Cloud Heaven was annihilated. Everything within it was devoured and plundered, and the Blaze Cloud Lord, Blaze Cloud, also vanished—presumably fallen! "Bear in mind, Blaze Cloud was one of the Seven Great Heaven Lords, possessing unparalleled prowess. The Blaze Cloud Heaven was home to numerous strong individuals, and yet it was annihilated. "This fact profoundly shocked Tai Cang and the others, prompting them to realize the gravity of the situation. They subsequently went on a quest to find that powerful aura. "But that aura kept eluding them." Li Xuan listened silently, awed by the information. The Blaze Cloud Heaven, one of the Seven Great Heavens, just vanished? And the Blaze Cloud Heaven's Lord simply died like that? "Or perhaps, the annihilation of Blaze Cloud Heaven was a conspiracy?" Li Xuan pondered. Tian Zi continued to explain. The tracking efforts by Tai Cang and the other six ended in vain, and being concerned about the security of Heaven and Earth, they decided to return. They remained vigilant, ready to support each other at the first sign of danger. Who knows how long passed when Wu Mo, second only to Tai Cang in power, faced a formidable opponent and was severely injured, narrowly escaping death. However, Wu Mo discovered the remnants from Blaze Cloud's demise and the identity of the perpetrator. At some point, a temple appeared within the Unyielding Ground, known as the Unyielding Temple, seemingly wandering from somewhere within. The annihilation of Blaze Cloud Heaven was linked to the powerful entities of the Unyielding Temple. Their goal was to invade and swallow the Seven Great Heavens. The existence of the Unyielding Temple was so formidable that not even Tai Cang was confident enough to ensure victory. As the situation deteriorated, the urgency of the crisis within Heaven and Earth grew. Eventually, after making thorough preparations, Tai Cang and his allies launched an attack on the Unyielding Temple. "Tai Cang knew that this battle might be his last. Fearing that Tai Cang Heaven would be invaded and annihilated, he left certain contingencies. "Those scoundrels of Tai Cang tricked me into coming here, tempting me with good food and entertainment, but shackle me here out of fear I'd be discovered. "Tai Cang Heaven is special. Because of a Heaven Spirit like me, invading or annihilating this heaven would require eliminating me, or else it would be extremely difficult. "As brutal as that battle was, even though I didn't partake, I know Tai Cang perished. He truly is dead." At this final remark, Tian Zi couldn't help but cry. Li Xuan stood in silent contemplation, acknowledging that even a being as strong as Tai Cang met his demise. The power level of the Unyielding Temple's entities is beyond terrifying. "I cannot become complacent or arrogant. My current strength is less than Tai Cang's, let alone those powerful figures from the Unyielding Temple. If I encounter them, it would surely mean death. "Even though I've transcended heaven and earth, it's best to remain discreet within Tai Cang Heaven until I surpass Tai Cang and those from the Unyielding Temple." Li Xuan heightened his awareness. However, despite Tai Cang's long-ago fall, Tai Cang Heaven remains unharmed. Though changes have occurred, it hasn't suffered significant damage. This confirms that Tai Cang indeed achieved extraordinary feats, and the powerful figures from the Unyielding Temple must not have had an easy time during the conflict either. Tian Zi wiped away her tears, mumbling complaints, "Tai Cang, you scoundrel. You locked me up for so long, all to protect this world's sentient beings! "He even said he’d be back soon, deceitfully claiming that opponent was no match, only to end up dead himself. "I’ll never again believe Tai Cang is invincible. What a waste. If this world ceases to exist, so be it, why fight desperately?" Tian Zi was filled with resentment toward Tai Cang at this moment. "If I had the strength, I would remake this world. Tai Cang is dead, the world isn't his anymore!" Tian Zi spoke with indignation. Then, she rambled on about the battle and the transformations in Tai Cang Heaven. During that battle, many who followed Tai Cang suffered horrendous losses, while among the other five great heavens, only Wu Mo Heaven and Netherworld Abyss Heaven are known to still exist. Whether Wu Mo and Netherworld Abyss have fallen remains uncertain. However, according to Tian Zi's speculation, they likely have. Currently, both Wu Mo and Netherworld Abyss desire to invade Tai Cang Heaven. Leftover strong individuals from these two heavens might have allied with the Unyielding Temple. Of course, with Tian Zi being trapped here, she hadn't any detail on the specifics. "Following the battle, there was prolonged turmoil in Tai Cang Heaven, with some changes. For example, my current position lies in the Border Wilderness, Tai Cang's Border Wilderness, where Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy cease to exist, and spiritual energy becomes violent. "I understand Tai Cang did this to deflect attention, making it appear severely damaged so it wouldn’t be discovered I’m here..." Tian Zi sighed with mixed feelings, grumbling resentfully, "But Tai Cang had such poor foresight. All his provisions are gone; even the last bed is no more. How will I manage from now on?" Following this, Tian Zi looked pitiably at Li Xuan, saying, "Senior, do you think you could?" Li Xuan smiled in surprise, "Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for you. Since you've been hidden, why expose yourself now? "Releasing you is simple enough for me, but you should consider whether you'd truly be willing to expose yourself after such a long period of seclusion." No matter how powerful Tai Cang was, he died, and although Tai Cang Heaven appears safe for now, if Tian Zi's presence were revealed, it could attract the attention of that formidable entity from the Unyielding Temple. Li Xuan wasn’t certain if rallying the forces of Tai Cang Heaven could defend against that prowess. Despite his position in the Dao Establishment Realm, possessing numerous divine skills alongside the Silent Annihilation Sword, and even channeling the power of Tai Cang Heaven, he made no guarantee of overcoming Tai Cang himself. Thus, setting Tian Zi free entirely was out of the question presently, but a plan might be conceivable. "What good is defiance? I don't want to remain shackled here for another moment. Tai Cang, that bastard, died without concern, leaving me to suffer alone." Tian Zi harbored deep resentment. "Of course, I know too that the one truly to blame is that terrifying figure, yet he's immensely powerful—I can't defeat him. Otherwise, I'd like nothing more than to destroy him. "If not for him, would I, Tian Zi, have suffered here for so many years?" Tian Zi’s vehement hatred towards the Unyielding Temple's powerful figures was evident. Nonetheless, as Tai Cang's creation, he viewed Tai Cang akin to a father figure. "The ones who followed Tai Cang, they are all useless. After all these years, has not a single one surpassed the limit, reaching where Tai Cang once stood?" Tian Zi spoke again with indignation, then bust into a flurry of curses. "The changes in Tai Cang Heaven—Border Wilderness, Inner Domain, Spiritual Domain—these formations are merely to groom a new Heaven Lord. Yet, those fools, rather than acting, remain self-centered... "The former core of Tai Cang Heaven is now the Domain of Three Hundred Realms, yet these realm lords are a bunch of scoundrels..." Tian Zi grew increasingly agitated while recounting her plight, with intermittent lamentations of her miserable circumstances. Li Xuan stayed silent, knowing Tian Zi was exaggerating her misfortune. "The Domain of Three Hundred Realms? Three Hundred Realm Lords? At present, there aren’t even that many." Li Xuan mused internally. The Domain of Three Hundred Realms, each realm, resembles a small heaven. Unquestionably, these three hundred realms were once small heaven lords opened by those brave enough to follow Tai Cang. Li Xuan had already seen through Tai Cang Heaven's martial prowess. "Heaven Alliance, Divine Lord, Supreme, Realm Lord... Now, a Realm Lord is the mightiest in Tai Cang Heaven, while the seven Tai Cang figures were once the Heaven Lords. "Previously, Realm Lords were termed as Small Heaven Lords." --- New terms explanation: 1. 太蒼 (Tai Cang): Translated as "Tai Cang," it's the name of a prominent character believed to have greatly contributed to Tai Cang Heaven’s stability. Alternate translations could be "The Great Cang" or "Mighty Cang." 2. 大荒 (Great Wilderness): Translated directly to "Great Wilderness," it refers to a place or collective concept facing neglect or needing establishment. Alternate translations could involve names implying an undeveloped or mythical land. 3. 天外不化地 (Unyielding Ground): "Unyielding Ground" suggests a place outside the heavens enduring against changes and time. 4. 不化神殿 (Unyielding Temple): Resonates with permanence or resistance, likely describing a formidable organization or location within the story. 5. 焚雲 (Blaze Cloud): Maintained as "Blaze Cloud," it symbolizes fiery and tempestuous characteristics. The term may connote formidable energy or entities associated with such forces. 6. 焚雲天地 (Blaze Cloud Heaven): Consistent with the individual term, "Blaze Cloud Heaven" implies a holy or celestial dominion characterized by fiery power or essence. 7. 界主 (Realm Lord): Translated as "Realm Lord," it connotes the dominant authority of a particular realm within the narrative context. These translations aim to preserve the story's mythic and mystical qualities while maintaining clarity in the characters' roles and the realms' descriptions. "Tai Cang was the strongest among the Lords of Heaven and Earth, yet the powerful figures of the Unyielding Temple surpass even the Lords of Heaven and Earth," Li Xuan assessed in his mind. "My martial path within the Heaven and Earth Realm is comparable to Divine Lord and Supreme. Achieving perfection in the Heaven and Earth Realm means attaining the power of the Supreme, whereas the Dao Establishment Realm is akin to a Realm Lord. "The chasm between a Supreme and a Realm Lord is vast, just as the difference between the Heaven and Earth Realm and the Dao Establishment Realm is immeasurable. "Even if I were to perfect the Dao Establishment Realm, could I ever annihilate Tai Cang?" Li Xuan questioned himself. Even should he achieve perfection in the Dao Establishment Realm, obliterating Tai Cang might remain an insurmountable feat. Nevertheless, he should not be weaker than Tai Cang and could probably defeat the weakest among the other six Lords of Heaven and Earth. Of course, the strength between various Realm Lords can also significantly vary. Tai Cang's capability to subdue the other six reflects his prodigious power. "Only those beyond the Dao Establishment Realm possess the might to obliterate Tai Cang and face the mighty figures of the Unyielding Temple without fear..." Li Xuan now understood. Typically, the Dao Establishment Realm equates to a Realm Lord or slightly exceeds it, but he’s not confined to the conventional limits of the Dao Establishment Realm, thus exhibiting such prowess already within it. "There is, however, an alternate path, enhancing strength before transcending the Dao Establishment Realm." With this realization, Li Xuan turned his attention to Tian Zi, who alternated between cursing and weeping, and with a smile, he said, "Little friend, as the Spirit of Tai Cang Heaven, do you wish to elevate Tai Cang Heaven? "Do you want to prevent those coveting this heaven from seizing it?" Tian Zi's spirits lifted instantly. "Senior, I desire it dearly, even in my dreams!" Li Xuan rose and stepped out of the small stone house, and Tian Zi instinctively followed, unexpectedly leaving the small stone house and even exiting the palace that veiled it. In that moment, Tian Zi was astounded to find that part of her shackles had been released! Looking up toward the sky, Li Xuan smiled warmly, "Just as I've mentioned, this heaven lacks certain elements, rendering it weak, and you are the one who can fill in those missing parts." "If I were to fill the gaps, would it endanger me?" Tian Zi winced slightly. "It won't." Li Xuan reassured with a radiant smile, patting Tian Zi's shoulder. "My journey through Tai Cang Heaven led me to take on several disciples who are currently growing. "The martial path I’ve imparted is known as the Great Wilderness Martial Path, and the Inner Domain has now become the Great Wilderness. "The deficiencies in this heaven must be rectified. With Tai Cang dead, it falls upon you to accomplish this." Tian Zi questioned, perplexed, "Senior, you mention time and again that this heaven is lacking. What exactly is missing?" Turning back to him, Li Xuan answered with two words: "The Heavenly Dao!" Heavenly Dao! Tian Zi stood dazed, murmuring, "Heavenly Dao?" "Indeed, the Heavenly Dao!" Li Xuan nodded, stating, "Tai Cang Heaven has structure and law, seemingly perfect and self-regulating, yet ultimately devoid of the Dao of Heaven. Were the Heavenly Dao present, it would harmonize day and night, eternally enhancing and expanding Heaven itself, maintaining equilibrium among all things in Heaven..." Li Xuan imbued Tian Zi with his understanding of the concept of the Heavenly Dao. "As the spirit of heaven, you are well-suited to merging with the heavens to become the Heavenly Dao. Initially, however, you should refrain from overseeing the entirety of Tai Cang Heaven. "With Tai Cang gone, this heaven no longer belongs solely to Tai Cang. As such, it conceals your presence, allowing you to sever past ties and causes..." Li Xuan gave an elaborate account, extolling the virtues of the Heavenly Dao, how it governed the heavens, why it was venerated by all beings, how it strengthened itself, and how it continuously fortified the heavens. As Tian Zi listened, her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she exclaimed, "Senior, I want to be this Heavenly Dao. Please teach me!" "Oh? You wish to be the Heavenly Dao? Then, which Heavenly Dao would you like to be?" Li Xuan asked with a knowing grin. Tian Zi donned a solemn expression and earnestly declared, "With Tai Cang dead, the time has come for the Great Wilderness to ascend. I shall be the Great Wilderness Heavenly Dao!" Li Xuan silently nodded in approval, acknowledging Tian Zi's perceptiveness. "Your decisiveness bodes well. Thus, as your Dao Ancestor, I shall impart to you the way of the Heavenly Dao. Of course, should you prove too dull to comprehend, it merely means that the Heavenly Dao is not your destiny." Li Xuan affirmed. "Rest assured, Dao Ancestor, my talents are exceptional!" Tian Zi confidently proclaimed, patting her chest. "Let's hope that's the case." Li Xuan refrained from discussing any apprenticeship, for Tian Zi's actual strength within Tai Cang Heaven surpassed that of those Realm Lords by far, given his status as the Spirit of Heaven. "Dao Ancestor, with your tutelage in the Heavenly Dao, from now on, I shall serve as the Great Wilderness Heavenly Dao. And as the Dao Ancestor is the Great Wilderness Martial Ancestor, I suppose I would be your... disciple?" Tian Zi scratched her head, pondering the appropriate term. "Whatever you wish." Li Xuan chuckled openly. "It's settled then. From now on, I, Tian Zi, will be known as the Dao Disciple under the Dao Ancestor's guidance!" Tian Zi gleefully declared. Li Xuan shook his head with a smile, recognizing the sharpness of Tian Zi's mind. "As a Spirit of Heaven, becoming the Heavenly Dao should prove relatively straightforward. The method of the Heavenly Dao is simple too, initially building upon Tai Cang Heaven's laws, but not entirely conforming to them..." In Li Xuan's hand appeared a book. It was none other than the "Tai Cang Book"! Tian Zi paused, her expression briefly melancholic, as she sighed and remarked, "Tai Cang, indeed, left behind contingencies intending for successors to carve his path anew, becoming the new master of Tai Cang Heaven, to guard Tai Cang Heaven!" New terms explanation: 1. **天地境 (Heaven and Earth Realm)**: Translated as "Heaven and Earth Realm." It represents a level or realm within the martial path, comparable to "Godly" or "Supreme" power. Alternate translations could include "Terrestrial Celestial Realm." 2. **至尊 (Supreme)**: Translated as "Supreme." It denotes the highest echelon of power, implying an exceptional realm of lordship or dominion. 3. **大成 (Great Accomplishment)**: Literal translation of a state of near perfection in one's cultivation or martial realm. 4. **天塹 (Heavenly Chasm)**: Refers to an insurmountable gap or divide between two power levels, translating effectively as the "Heavenly Chasm." 5. **大荒武道 (Great Wilderness Martial Path)**: Translated directly to describe a unique path of martial arts rooted in the mythical qualities of the "Great Wilderness." Other translations could highlight the concept of a vast, untamed martial domain. 6. **天道 (Heavenly Dao)**: Represents the "Heavenly Dao" concept of the universe's overarching law or order. This term captures both the philosophical and spiritual essence embedded in the storyline. 7. **天地之靈 (Spirit of Heaven)**: Translated as "Spirit of Heaven," denoting a guardian or intrinsic essence tied to a particular heavenly realm or domain. These translations preserve clarity and intent, aiming to maintain the narrative's mystical and philosophical underpinnings while keeping the distinct character roles and unique realm distinctions intact.