Book 3 Chapter 11: An Enigma - Martial God

### Chapter 11: An Enigma He Yi Ming's mind seemed to have entered a trance-like state, as if he were seeing a giant striding forward continuously, following in its footsteps. Amidst this landscape, monumental changes surged within his heart. He felt as though he had become the sky, the earth, the mountains, the rivers—transforming into the entire painting crafted by that person’s brush and ink. Unbeknownst to He Yi Ming, at the very moment this thought surfaced in his mind, unexpected changes simultaneously occurred in his body. His body trembled slightly, and every acupuncture point suddenly opened, the boundless power of heaven and earth surging into him like floodwaters. Each of these points seemed like an endless and rotating black hole. Once these black holes made contact with the madly rushing external energy, they spun even more violently. As their speed accelerated, the pulling force correspondingly increased. Centered on He Yi Ming, more and more of the earth's energy was drawn and funneled towards him. ※※※※ Atop the Peak of Spirit Medicine, Yu Jinglei's figure flickered and appeared within the cave abode of Yao Daoren. Yao Daoren hurriedly stood up, politely bowing and greeting, "Greetings, Master Uncle." Yu Jinglei waved his hand, then immediately pulled a jade bottle out from his belongings, opened the cap, and let a pill as thick as a pinky finger fall out, which he swallowed straight away. Yao Daoren's face changed abruptly, disbelief flashing as he said, "Master Uncle, you're injured?" With Yu Jinglei's prowess in "Yixian Tian" (One Line of Heaven), could anyone here possibly harm him? Astonished, Yao Daoren thought of He Yi Ming, who had left simultaneously with Yu Jinglei. Although He Yi Ming's strength was formidable, to say he could injure the Supreme Elder seemed a bit far-fetched. As he wrestled with his surprise and uncertainty, he heard Yu Jinglei let out a long sigh and say, "Yao Elder, the He Elder you recommended truly is a peerless genius. He has reached this level without any guidance. Such a fearsome talent—thankfully, he belongs to our Hengshan faction." A strange expression finally surfaced on Yao Daoren's face. Although Yu Jinglei hadn't answered his question directly, his continued praise of He Yi Ming clearly indicated that his injury was indeed related to He Elder. Recalling his encounter with He Yi Ming, a cold sweat broke out on Yao Daoren’s back. So, He Elder hadn't even exerted his full strength then? If he had taken it seriously, what would have happened to me... Yao Daoren shook his head, dispelling the terrifying thought. "Master Uncle, do you think He Elder has a chance of advancing to 'Yixian Tian'?" Yao Daoren asked, slightly tense. For these reclusive sects, while innate martial masters in 'Baisantian' (Hundreds of Scattered Heavens) were important, having a 'Yixian Tian' master to safeguard the sect was the true pillar of stability. Yu Jinglei hesitated for a moment and said, "Life and death, a line between; One Line of Heaven. Whether he can successfully cross this line of opportunity, I can't say for sure. But he's so young, with such vibrant life force within. If even he cannot cross this hurdle, then it would indeed be against the laws of nature." Yao Daoren’s face lit up with joy as he asked, "Master Uncle, in your opinion, how many years will it take for He Elder to attempt 'Yixian Tian'?" Yu Jinglei pondered for a moment and earnestly stated, "If everything goes smoothly, within fifty years, he should be able to reach the stage of having all his acupuncture points brimming." Yao Daoren's eyes sparkled with understanding of the Supreme Elder's words. The younger one is, the greater the life force within. The challenge for a 'Baisantian' master past a hundred or nearing two hundred years to clear all his points smoothly far exceeds that of one not yet a hundred years old. What's even more terrifying is that He Yi Ming is not even twenty now. Even if he takes fifty years absorbing innate energy, he won’t even be seventy yet. Most innate masters at his age haven’t even broken through to the innate realm despite their years of training. To attempt 'Yixian Tian' at seventy, while not entirely assured, is far from a life-and-death gamble. "Fifty years, fifty years..." Yao Daoren mouthed. Abruptly, from beneath the Spirit Medicine Peak, came intense waves of energy resonating with the world. Within these waves, a familiar aura they both knew all too well emerged. Although they hadn’t interacted with this person's aura frequently, once encountered, it left an indelible impression on any expert. "This is..." Yao Daoren, sensing the torrential world energy changes, asked uncertainly. Though he spent his life dealing with earth’s flames and herbs, possessing some insights from fleeting moments of insight, he hadn't truly grasped such knowledge. Thus, faced with the powerful energy from afar, doubt nagged at his heart, inhibiting any certainty. Yu Jinglei's face similarly reflected disbelief. In that moment, he cast aside all semblance of a seasoned sage. Muttering, he said, "Enlightenment…it is indeed the realm of enlightenment." Yao Daoren’s eyes brightened, "Master Uncle, has He Elder had an enlightenment?" Yu Jinglei nodded with a peculiar expression. To witness He Yi Ming's enlightenment just after dueling with him was truly astonishing. With a flicker, Yu Jinglei left Yao Daoren's abode, racing to the mountainside. Yao Daoren hurried to keep pace. Though he hadn’t experienced anything similar, as an innate master, he was immensely intrigued and eager at the prospect of enlightenment. Now given the chance to observe one, how could he let it slip by? In just moments, they reached the courtyard where He Yi Ming resided. Instead of entering, they vaulted onto a giant tree outside the courtyard, observing He Yi Ming standing tranquilly in the center. In the sunlight, He Yi Ming seemed bathed in a golden glow. In one corner of the courtyard, Yuan Lixun watched He Yi Ming with a joyous smile. She had witnessed similar occurrences with He Yi Ming before, so she felt no surprise, only silently accompanying him, sensing the powerful energy constantly emanating from him. In the eyes of Yu Jinglei and Yao Daoren, the air around He Yi Ming was a swirling vortex, gathered by endless world energy into a kaleidoscope of colors. The two elderly figures exchanged a glance, hardly daring to believe their eyes. As innate masters, they understood that every color corresponded to a specific element of world energy. Although the energy here was diverse, they doubted He Yi Ming could absorb it all. However, the very spectacle indicated one thing: this energy did not reject He Yi Ming’s body. Sharing a look, they realized He Yi Ming indeed possessed a remarkable constitution, affording him a unique affinity with world energy. Upon reflection, they acknowledged that perhaps it was precisely his special constitution that had allowed He Yi Ming to achieve such feats at such a young age. As the sun gradually slipped towards the west, a young disciple arrived from the base of Spirit Medicine Peak, carrying a box of food towards the courtyard. Reaching the gate, as he raised his hand to knock, his vision suddenly blurred, and his outstretched hand was firmly grasped by someone. Startled, he couldn’t believe someone dared to ambush him on Spirit Medicine Peak. But his reflexes were sharp; he instantly swung the food box at the assailant's head while simultaneously launching a three-kick combo, each packing immense force. Simultaneously, he readied his voice, empowered by inner energy, for alerting his brothers. These actions were instinctive, executed without conscious thought. Yet at the moment of his shout, food box flung, and kicks unleashed, he finally caught sight of the face of the one seizing his arm. Upon recognizing the familiar, almost otherworldly visage, terror engulfed him. No matter how he racked his brains, he couldn’t fathom why this esteemed ancestor would materialize here, grasping his arm. Caught off guard, he watched Yao Daoren twist his wrist, making the food box reappear unblemished in Yao Daoren's hand. Simultaneously, his kicks sailed through empty air, leaving him nearly off balance. Stunned, he pondered why his strikes had seemingly landed in a void despite Yao Daoren’s proximity. As confusion swirled, the inner energy barreling into his throat dissipated on its own, ceasing the shout before it sounded. At that moment, he paused in surprise before realizing what was happening, giving Yao Daoren a deep bow. He heard Yao Daoren say, "You may leave now. I'll personally handle the meals for He Elder's residence." The disciple took the food box, responded obediently, and retreated respectfully, his heart filled with excitement. After all, on Spirit Medicine Peak, while everyone knew of this overly youthful-looking elder, few had the privilege to receive his guidance. Today's experience was bound to stir envy among his peers. With a flicker of movement, Yao Daoren ascended back onto the high tree and stood beside Yu Jinglei, focusing his gaze once more. The realm of enlightenment holds incomparable significance for an innate master. Though Yao Daoren hadn't experienced it himself, witnessing a fellow adept undergo enlightenment was an invaluable opportunity. As evening descended on Huangshan, a few clouds accentuated the stunning sunset. The sinking sun cast its final rays, painting the sky a blood-red hue with a melancholic beauty. Just as the last thread of sunlight disappeared below the horizon, He Yi Ming, who had been standing still, suddenly moved. In the brief moment that he moved, his figure vanished completely from their sight. Even Yu Jinglei, for a fleeting second, sensed a sudden loss of control. He felt a slight unease; in combat, he certainly wouldn't lose to He Yi Ming, but competing in agility, he might not keep pace with him anymore. Yu Jinglei wore a wry smile, wondering exactly what He Yi Ming had comprehended during his enlightenment, elevating his agility skills to such heights. If combined with his mighty guandao... Yu Jinglei sighed inwardly. The top expert below Yixian Tian had emerged within Hengshan. A gale echoed throughout the courtyard; He Yi Ming became an omnipresent wind, sweeping through the entire area. Yet, no matter how loudly the wind roared, not a single blade of grass or leaf was harmed. It was as if the fierce wind was nothing more than an illusion, lacking any real threat. These contradictory sensations induced an acute sense of frustration. Of course, only Yu Jinglei and Yao Daoren could experience such feelings, while Yuan Lixun, standing in a corner, continued to watch with a cheerful smile, oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Finally, the pervasive wind ceased, and He Yi Ming reappeared in his original position. He crouched down, gingerly gathering the scroll on the ground. His expression conveyed an almost reverent sincerity. Yuan Lixun then approached with a bright smile, saying, "Congratulations, Young Master, on making significant progress in your martial journey." He Yi Ming laughed heartily, revealing no attempt to disguise his joy in front of Yuan Lixun. He nodded deeply to her, reflecting a mutual understanding that only they could appreciate. Yuan Lixun blushed slightly, her gaze falling on the clothes still hanging around the courtyard. She exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear, I forgot to bring in the clothes." He Yi Ming chuckled, once more transforming into a gust and making another loop in the courtyard. When he returned, his arms were draped with a large bundle of clothes and bedding, even covering his head. Yuan Lixun couldn't help but smile, feeling both amused and delighted. She hurried to open the door, saying, "Be careful, Young Master." He Yi Ming took a step forward into the bedroom, depositing everything onto the bed in one go. Yuan Lixun said sincerely, "Young Master, you're remarkable." He Yi Ming asked, surprised, "You noticed?" Could Yuan Lixun, with her six levels of internal strength, possibly grasp the intricacies of the innate path? However, Yuan Lixun nodded earnestly, with a straight face, "Young Master, your speed at bringing in clothes is unmatched." He Yi Ming was left speechless, his mouth twitching as he watched Yuan Lixun organizing clothes by the bed, unsure of what to think. With a slight twitch of his ears, he heard a rumbling stomach, immediately understanding the situation. He said, "Lixun, I'll step out for a moment; wait for me." With that, he flew out, leaving Yuan Lixun mystified, staring at where he had been standing, utterly perplexed. He Yi Ming left the courtyard and swiftly climbed the tree, saying, "I apologize for startling you two." Yu Jinglei waved a dismissive hand, saying, "You're joking, He Elder. We old folks would welcome being ‘startled’ by you like this every day." He Yi Ming rolled his eyes at the thought. Daily enlightenment? Now that was wishful thinking indeed. Yao Daoren smiled and asked, "He Elder, how fruitful was this enlightenment?" He Yi Ming pondered a moment before saying, "The gains were substantial. The effects of enlightenment vastly surpass routine training." This was sincerely spoken from the heart. After each enlightenment, his skills advanced dramatically, with foundations built upon enlightenment proving no less solid than years of painstaking effort. If not for the elusive nature of enlightenment, every innate master might choose to wander in search of chance encounters instead of toiling consistently for centuries. Yu Jinglei chuckled, "He Elder, not only have you gained much, but even Yao Elder and I have gleaned insights." Yao Daoren softly echoed, "Indeed, our gains pale in comparison to yours, He Elder." Blinking twice, He Yi Ming finally understood why despite their initial reluctance to risk disturbing his enlightenment, they remained perched on the tree to observe. The changes in world energy he triggered during enlightenment provided insights even to masters of their caliber. Not that he minded—these were mere trifles. After chatting with them a bit more, He Yi Ming said, "Master Uncle Yu, Elder Yao, night has fallen. I’m off to the kitchen to fetch some food, so I’ll take my leave." Of course, Yu Jinglei and Yao Daoren had no intention of stopping him. However, after He Yi Ming departed, a peculiar look passed between them. With He Yi Ming's power, especially immediately post-enlightenment with a saturation of innate qi, could he still feel hunger? Such minor curiosities were merely amusing to them, not truly concerning. After a moment's silence, Yao Daoren suddenly asked, "Master Uncle, you mentioned He Elder might need fifty years of diligent practice to fully saturate all his acupuncture points. What about now?" Yu Jinglei hesitated, then broke into a string of wry smiles. A single enlightenment could elevate someone immeasurably; even he couldn’t say how much progress He Yi Ming had made post-enlightenment without another test, as observation alone wouldn't draw real conclusions. "He Elder is extraordinarily gifted, beyond the comparison to ordinary folk," Yu Jinglei finally sighed. "I can no longer fully see through him..."