The distinction between Earth Immortal and Human Immortal represents different cultivation realms. For a Blue-tier Assassin, a single character difference can mean life or death. This highlights the importance of accurate intelligence. Whether it’s a martial hero or an assassin, using outdated information or maps will lead to a gruesome death.
Unfortunately, aside from himself, only Han Bing Xian Zi (Cold Ice Immortal Girl) Ye Yu Qi might know about Master Da Lu’s breakthrough. Even his direct disciples were unaware. They were simply delighted that the event of Kong Wen being trapped had prompted their master to leave his cottage and re-enter the mortal world.
With a hint of “compassion,” Meng Qi swept a glance over the Blue-tier Assassin and suddenly exclaimed, “Hmm?” He hadn’t looked carefully before, but now he noticed something strange about the Assassin’s condition.
It was normal for the Assassin’s physical body and shadow to be destroyed by him, leaving only the Yuan Shen (Primordial Spirit), which appeared semi-real and semi-illusory. However, at the Grandmaster level, the Yuan Shen should have already fused preliminarily with the Dharma Body and physical form, appearing clear and real, not blurry.
The Assassin’s Yuan Shen seemed to be expanding, becoming increasingly hazy from the inside out, giving off a sense of violent force spreading outward. However, strands of sword qi subtly infiltrated, continuously dividing into finer threads, spreading throughout every corner of the Yuan Shen, binding it like it was frozen.
By the final division of sword qi, Meng Qi could no longer sense it, only vaguely detecting residual power.
Was this another variation derived from “Dao’s Transmission Across the Universe”? Reflecting, Meng Qi turned his gaze toward Master Da Lu.
Master Da Lu’s expression remained calm, his tone unchanged: “The Benevolent Tower has lasted for thousands of years, accumulating many strange secret techniques. When I first subdued him, a mysterious self-destruction occurred. Fortunately, I had already gained some advantage. My sword light entered the subtle, allowing me to freeze the explosion.”
Freezing an explosion? Wasn’t that the ability of the Celestial Emperor’s Time lineage? Not only Meng Qi but even Master Da Lu’s direct disciple, Luo Yao Kun, were somewhat bewildered. However, Meng Qi’s curiosity extended beyond that: “Sword Light Entering the Subtle? I had the ability to sense the subtle at the Qi Opening stage. How do they differ?”
This was the first time Meng Qi had heard the term “Sword Light Entering the Subtle.” Naturally, it might be a technique so advanced that even Jiang Zhi Wei hadn’t encountered it yet, so he himself was unfamiliar with it.
Master Da Lu explained seriously: “The difference lies in the depth of subtlety. At the Qi Opening stage, one can sense the fragrance of the surrounding soil, the movement of insects, the growth of trees, and clearly perceive each clod of earth, every pebble, every root, and even every pore on the enemy’s body. This is considered entering the subtle.”
“After reaching the Outer Scenery stage, the subtlety deepens. One can sense fluctuations in the sea of Qi in the universe, the hidden laws behind phenomena, and every drop of one’s blood, every muscle fiber, and every skin layer.”
“But is this truly the ‘subtle’? The body is composed of flesh, blood, and meridians. What about a single drop of blood? What is it composed of? And where do these laws originate? Without approaching the Dao, the ‘subtle’ has no end. Sword Light Entering the Subtle, seeming real yet illusory, penetrates every minute aspect of the Yuan Shen, binding every source of the self-destruction, thereby freezing the explosion.”
Meng Qi was somewhat stunned. Sword Light Entering the Subtle, binding the explosion at its very inception. Master Da Lu’s level was truly admirable and unimaginable. With such control, as it develops further, it could eventually achieve not only regeneration from a single drop of blood but also resurrection from the smallest remaining imprint. This would be the ultimate realm of “Flesh and Blood Having Spirit.”
If even a legendary Earth Immortal is like this, what about the true legendary experts, the Five Emperors and Nine Venerables?
Luo Yao Kun, though less knowledgeable than Meng Qi, was equally astonished. His master’s realm and strength seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. Was this the nature of a Dharma Body, simply not displayed much in ordinary times?
Master Da Lu said, “You excel at transformation. Your mastery of the ‘subtle’ actually surpasses your own understanding. Once you achieve the Dharma Body, I believe you won’t be any less than me now.”
The Eight-Nine Mystical Art, Flesh and Blood Having Spirit! Meng Qi nodded inwardly.
“Actually, if you hadn’t destroyed his physical body and shadow, slightly blocking him, I wouldn’t have had time to freeze the self-destruction,” Master Da Lu glanced at the Yuan Shen beside him. “Now, I can only cautiously explore and slowly attempt to uncover the secrets of the Benevolent Tower.”
Destroyed his physical body and shadow? Luo Yao Kun, hearing this for the first time, suddenly turned his head toward Meng Qi, his movement so abrupt that one might suspect his neck would snap.
Could “Crazy Blade” Su Meng seriously wound a Blue-tier Assassin?
Seriously wounding a Blue-tier Assassin meant he was on the verge of making the Earth List. Luo himself had spent thirty years barely climbing the second tier of the Heaven Ladder to become a Grandmaster, not yet qualified to be listed on the Earth List. Meng had only reached the Outer Scenery stage for three and a half years!
Was this the result of bearing four calamities?
Meng Qi coughed slightly and roughly recounted the three encounters, not mentioning the techniques used, only describing the effects, then proceeded to ask Master Da Lu for advice.
After all, the final battle was probably fully observed by him. Not seizing this opportunity for guidance would be unworthy of Xiao Meng’s reputation of “greedy for gains!”
Master Da Lu did not withhold his guidance. Though his words were few, they were all to the point, giving Meng Qi significant insights, helping him grasp the essence of the techniques more firmly, not bound by their original forms, and linking the Infinite Light with the subtle.
Luo Yao Kun listened quietly beside them, becoming increasingly alarmed. If he were in Meng Qi’s place, he might still manage to drive off the Assassin at the first and second attacks by sustaining serious injuries. However, by the third attack, he likely wouldn’t survive.
He couldn’t help but feel admiration: People often say Su Meng deserves his glory for bearing four calamities, but they overlook the fact that beyond the glory, Su Meng had undergone rigorous self-training and countless dangers. His current achievements were largely due to his own efforts. How many talented individuals have fallen due to arrogance and unwillingness to endure hardship?
They only see the meat, not the beating. Among their peers, Luo entered the sect last but had become one of the top two in strength. The hardships and difficulties he endured privately were unimaginable to those who only spoke behind his back.
“Crazy Blade” Su Meng truly lived up to his reputation!
As a direct disciple of Master Da Lu, unlike his senior brother who was trapped in the first three tiers, leading to a twisted mind, Luo had the pure side of a swordsman and immediately felt a sense of mutual respect.
After finishing his questions, Meng Qi’s expression turned serious: “The condition when Old Steward Zhou died was very similar to…”
He hesitated here, unsure whether to continue: This resembled the handiwork of the Myth organization, and the “Celestial Emperor” Han Guang of the Myth organization seemed to have secret dealings with the Mad King Gao Lan.
His “jovial big brother” was close to him, showing deep affection and loyalty. If this truly involved him, putting him in danger, how could Meng bear it, and how could his conscience rest?
Previously, he had told Chong He Dao Ren purely as a precaution, as no actual conspiracy had yet emerged, and it hadn’t yet endangered Gao Lan, so Meng spoke naturally. Now, once revealed, if it were true, things might quickly spiral out of control!
However, the cold Gao Lan was completely different from the jovial big brother. If this matter truly involved him and there was a grand conspiracy, Meng should speak out from any perspective. Otherwise, if the grasslands invaded the south, the common people would suffer, cannibalism wouldn’t just be a story, and friends might perish in this calamity. How could his conscience rest?
In this moment, Meng Qi experienced what it meant to be torn between choices, vaguely understanding the conflicting pain Qi Zheng Yan felt when he left the team. Though affection is heavy, principles are priceless.
Torn between conflicting emotions, hesitation, and pain, Meng Qi clenched his teeth and resolved to temporarily regard the cold Gao Lan and the cheerful elder brother as two distinct individuals. He spoke bluntly: “The death of Steward Zhou bore striking resemblance to the handiwork of the ‘Myth’ organization. The grassland incident may involve ‘Myth’ pulling strings behind the scenes to stir up trouble, while ‘Demon Master’ Han Guang and ‘Mad King’ Gao Lan have covert dealings. After obtaining the Human Emperor Sword, Gao Lan’s ambitions have grown even greater. If this grassland affair involves Myth, he is likely implicated as well.”
After speaking, Meng Qi felt a sense of exhaustion. If only worldly matters could be resolved with a sword.
“Gao Lan? If they’re planning a wide net, the grassland forces temporarily can’t do it. But if he’s involved, it makes sense…” Luo Yao Kun blurted out.
“I’ve heard something about this, but if you hadn’t mentioned Myth, I wouldn’t have thought of it,” Master Da Lu nodded slightly. “But we can’t jump to conclusions and assume it’s Gao Lan’s fault. Yao Kun, notify the Pure Yang Sect, and let’s collaborate. We’ll begin with a broad search, conduct a swift investigation, and have Changle’s Qing Hong locate Zhou’s wife and child.”
Temporarily excluding other sects and families.
Luo Yao Kun responded and hurriedly left the cottage to arrange various matters.
“You stay at the villa first until things become clear and there’s no further danger,” Master Da Lu said to Meng Qi.
Meng Qi naturally had no objection as he wanted to know what had happened on the grasslands.
When leaving the cottage, he looked longingly at the Blue-tier Assassin’s Yuan Shen. Unfortunately, even Master Da Lu had to cautiously explore. By the time he gained some insights, Meng would have to come back and ask for some benefits to better understand the secrets and techniques of the Benevolent Tower.
The fragrance of strange flowers entered his nose, and Meng Qi suddenly felt relaxed. Previously, he had been extremely tense, not unlike being chased by the Blood Sea Rakshasa. He had calculated the timing well, calmly escaping into Lan Ke Temple. The assassin’s concealment ability was terrifying; he didn’t know where he was hiding. Even when talking with Ling Yue and others, he was fully alert. A moment of distraction might have cost him his life.
…
In the capital, the headquarters of the Six Fan Gates—a small vermilion building.
Sima Shi was calmly brewing tea, his every movement exuding a natural grace.
At this moment, a Golden Insignia Constable requested an audience.
“Chief Constable, there may be significant developments in the north,” the constable directly handed over a piece of paper.
Sima Shi put down his teacup, took the paper, and glanced through it, seeing the account of the Shi Family Fortress incident and the following description:
“A Blue-tier Assassin, skilled in concealment, capable of dividing his shadow, Yuan Shen, and physical body, making him almost impossible to guard against…”
Sima Shi tapped his right index finger, seemingly muttering to himself: “Assassins from the Benevolent Tower rarely fail, and their characteristics are rarely known. Now, at least we’ve learned about one more.”
The Golden Insignia Constable’s expression became somewhat strange, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Sima Shi continued reading and saw the final lines: “Defeated three times by ‘Crazy Blade’ Su Meng, his physical body and shadow destroyed, his Yuan Shen fled, his fate unknown, with rumors of his demise.”
Another one he had just learned about was gone… Sima Shi looked down at the paper for a long time before lifting his gaze, sighing slightly and smiling: “This reminds one of the old tale of the Wolf King.”
“In three and a half years, he is about to ascend the Earth List. In another three and a half years, what level will he reach?”
His eyes flickered slightly, seemingly thinking of himself. Seven years passed, then another seven, and another seven, yet the Dharma Body remained a mirage.
“Revise the Earth List and spread this news,” he put down the paper.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage