Chapter 799: Liuluo

Cliffs stood steep and sheer, with waves crashing against the shore, their roaring sound accompanied by countless white-foamed crests.

Sitting at the cliff’s edge, watching the tide rise and fall, Meng Qi’s thoughts revolved around Wu Jizhen’s words about the “Heart of Martial Cultivation.”

Self-reliance and unwavering martial will—he certainly possessed these. Whether it was the “Old Master” or divine weapons, he had always treated them as temporary aids, never developing any dependence. He remained calm in danger and fearless in the face of life and death. Compared to many Grandmasters, Meng Qi’s martial will was almost absurdly strong.

But was such martial will truly complete?

Martial will involved the integration of body, dharma-realm, and soul—the key to ascending the third heavenly ladder and forming the dharma-body—and was closely linked to “Sentient Flesh.” Therefore, Meng Qi took it seriously, pondering deeply after Wu Jizhen’s words.

Was martial will without a martial heart akin to a body without a soul—losing all drive once short-term goals were achieved?

Then, what should a true “Heart of Martial Cultivation” look like? As soon as this question arose, familiar faces surfaced in Meng Qi’s mind. Lu Daxian pursued swordsmanship with extreme passion, while Jiang Zhiwei was fanatically devoted to the sword path. Their pursuit was not merely for advancement or power; rather, improving their cultivation allowed them to better explore and chase martial cultivation itself—with reverence, longing, and enjoyment. This must be what Wu Jizhen meant by “the Heart of Martial Cultivation.”

This made Meng Qi recall his past on Earth. Back then, he was always awed by the vastness of the starry sky, humbled by its boundlessness and astronomical scales, and deeply moved by its magnificent grandeur. He had felt his own insignificance and the brevity of life, the fleeting brilliance of a moment. Yet, toward martial cultivation itself, he had seemingly never felt such emotions.

Not entirely true—he had felt awe during the communion with Heaven, the harmony with nature; during the unity of Heaven and Man, the awe of becoming one with the cosmos; during profound stillness, the beauty of tiny things awakening like thunder in spring; and when he crossed the first heavenly ladder, the sudden clarity of abandoning external self and perceiving the cosmic laws through the heart alone. Yet these feelings, these moments of awe, were soon forgotten as he advanced rapidly, focusing instead on power comparisons, combat strength, and the completeness of techniques.

He had also pondered, “What is the Dao? What is life?” But as he acquired one supreme technique after another, he became preoccupied with comprehending and learning them, integrating his martial moves like a diligent craftsman, losing some of his spontaneity and self-awareness.

There was nothing wrong with being a “diligent craftsman.” Without this step, so-called masters and grandmasters would be hollow and fragile. But if one remained only at this stage, without passion and reflection toward martial cultivation, one would remain at the level of mere skill, losing the Dao itself.

This must be his current issue.

How to resolve it? Meng Qi furrowed his brows. Passion, reflection, and pursuit of martial cultivation couldn’t be faked. At this stage, trying to imitate Zhiwei or Lu Daxian’s fervor for swordsmanship or develop a similarly intense, unique emotion would be impossible—like saying, “I simply cannot do it.” He could only gradually explore his inner self, refine his understanding through trials, rediscover inspiration and purpose, and slowly forge his own “Heart of Martial Cultivation.”

This must be what Lu Daxian meant by, “Those who follow my path will thrive; those who merely imitate me will perish!”

“In the past, clarifying the path and adjusting my inner world was about constructing a worldview. Now, cultivating the Heart of Martial Cultivation leans more toward life view and values…” The imprint of his past life was too strong; Meng Qi always leaned toward Earth’s knowledge when contemplating martial cultivation, chuckling slightly at himself.

This was both an advantage and a disadvantage. Past experiences could guide him, but they could also cloud his vision.

Suddenly, a maid approached, glancing curiously and respectfully at Meng Qi before bowing gracefully, “Master Su, a guest named Liu Shuyu has arrived.”

Meng Qi gathered his thoughts, stood up, nodded with a smile at the maid, and strode toward the Three Immortal Islands’ lord residence.

Some days ago, a disciple from the Xuan Nu sect had come seeking help from Wu Jizhen, the “Six-Ocean Wild Guest.” Meng Qi had asked her to secretly relay a message to Liu Shuyu, saying he awaited her at the Three Immortal Islands.

As for whether Liu Shuyu would come, Meng Qi had strong confidence but no certainty. Now, at last, he felt relieved.

Inside the flower pavilion, Wu Jizhen “sensibly” stayed away. A graceful figure in pale green robes stood by the railing, admiring the colorful blossoms. Even from behind, she exuded an ethereal elegance.

“Shuyu has improved greatly…” Meng Qi’s eyes flickered.

After resolving the threat from Gu Xiaosang, she must have finally become the true Xuan Nu sect heir.

Sensing Meng Qi’s arrival, Liu Shuyu slowly turned. Her face, still oval-shaped with willow eyebrows, almond eyes, and a thin mouth, no longer held its former gentleness. Her gaze seemed to cleanse the pavilion of dust, making her appear transcendently beautiful, as if she might vanish into thin air at any moment.

“It’s been many years. I truly must look at you anew,” Meng Qi clasped his hands and chuckled.

Liu Shuyu held a white-sheathed long sword, a faint smile on her lips, “It’s you who surprises me, the youngest Grandmaster since ancient times.”

Not the same as before… Meng Qi was slightly startled and got straight to the point, “Miss Liu, let’s not beat around the bush. Some time ago, I sent a message through Jiangdong’s Wang Clan to your master, discussing insights into the Overlord’s Supreme Blade. However, your master’s conditions are too strict—she requires that I must truly join the Xuan Nu sect and dual cultivate with her incarnation. This is a difficult demand. Is there any room for compromise?”

He first asked about possible compromise. If not, he would then probe into what gave the Sumu Sect their confidence.

Liu Shuyu smiled gently, exuding a noble demeanor, “I have already left the Liu family, no longer Shuyu. From now on, you may call me Liuluo.”

Only after saying this did she address the main matter, “For our sect, we already possess the Sumu Immortal Realm, a divine weapon that safeguards our sect, and the remains of our founding patriarch. Unless the Overlord’s Supreme Blade ascends to the Immortal level and is wielded by a dharma-body, it is merely a decorative piece. For such an ornamental item, how much compromise can we possibly make?”

“Moreover, the things you can offer hold no interest for us. When the Sumu Sect, Shaolin, Xian Sword Pavilion, and Huamei Villa become enemies, will you, with the Overlord’s Supreme Blade, storm their righteous sects? If you cannot do this, what use would we have for it?”

“Still, it’s better than letting a supreme divine weapon remain dormant, especially with the great calamity approaching,” Meng Qi replied solemnly, avoiding her piercing question.

Liu Shuyu, now the heir of the Xuan Nu Sect known as Liuluo, parted her lips softly with a faint smile playing on her face. “As for the great calamity, our sect’s founding ancestor had long foreseen it and made ample preparations. Moreover, since when has the Thunder God’s heir been confined to just one? In this era of great contention, there may well emerge a second heir of the Thunder God.”

With that, Liuluo stepped forward gracefully, “Moreover, even if my master agreed, you would still be unable to gain further insights from the Overlord’s Supreme Blade.”

“What do you mean?” Meng Qi immediately furrowed his brows.

Liuluo faced him, her long black hair flowing freely without a ribbon or bun, “Previously, you gained partial recognition from the Overlord’s Supreme Blade, allowing you to comprehend parts of the Divine Sky Nine Annihilations and the Overlord’s Six Severances. This established a connection with it. A supreme divine weapon, at least at the legendary level or higher—even if not fully awakened—can maintain omnipresent communication once a connection is formed. If it deems you worthy of further insights, you can feel its presence anytime, anywhere, regardless of location or time.”

“But now, haven’t you felt no such connection at all?”

Meng Qi fell into deep thought. Liuluo’s description of legendary properties matched his own understanding. Moreover, the imprint left by the Overlord within the blade had indeed said something similar: “The inheritance imprint cannot be given yet, except for the general outline. Whatever you just comprehended is what you can take.”

This meant that until the “temporary” state ended, he could only take as much as he had already grasped.

Was the Overlord’s Supreme Blade guarding against something? What qualifications must he meet to end this “temporary” state?

And if he sought to comprehend it again, attempting to erase past burdens, wouldn’t that appear rebellious to the great beings above? Even if successful, it might bring punishment upon him and endanger his loved ones. Thus, any further comprehension must be secretly planned, hidden from the Six Dao Reincarnation Lord, just like what happened within the gray stone hall in the Nine Heavens Palace…

Meng Qi pondered deeply, feigning disappointment as he sighed, “If that’s truly the case, then good and evil cannot coexist. I don’t have to rely on the Overlord’s Supreme Blade anyway.”

Liuluo smiled gracefully, “It’s best that you understand.”

Seeing an opportunity to speak with the Xuan Nu sect heir, Meng Qi wasted no time. He thought for a moment, then took out three blueprints and handed them to Liuluo, “Your sect inherits from the Nine Heavens Xuan Nu. Surely you are very familiar with heavenly artifacts?”

Liuluo showed slight curiosity, a hint of playfulness in her eyes as she accepted the blueprints, carefully examining them while opening her mind to Meng Qi’s transmitted images.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, “This lush green tree is the Jian Mu, said to be rooted in the Dao itself, connecting countless worlds. It is the pillar of the ancient immortal realm and the mother of all laws and principles.”

Indeed, the Xuan Nu sect heir knew! Meng Qi had previously asked Qingyu of the Xuanyuan Sect but received no answer. Now, he finally understood what the Dao-tree had consumed, increasing his anticipation for it.

“That blood-red peach is clearly an evil relic left over from a previous era. Its exact function is hard to determine without seeing it in action,” Liuluo continued.

“What about that plant and the two Three-Life Fruits?” Meng Qi pressed.

He had been forced to eat one by Gu Xiaosang and had been uneasy ever since.

Liuluo’s eyes flickered, suddenly smiling, “Three-Life Fruit? Who told you that’s what it is?”

“Not really?” Meng Qi’s heart sank.

“Just don’t seek it deliberately. The great being behind you will not be pleased,” Liuluo replied vaguely.

As her words faded, a clear aura emerged from her body, making her figure instantly ethereal and distant before vanishing from Meng Qi’s sight.

Caught off guard, Meng Qi realized that although Liuluo was merely a peak expert, having only recently entered the Outer Manifestation realm, and certainly no match for him in a one-on-one fight, she still possessed such a technique?

Previously, Meng Qi had considered coercing the Xuan Nu sect heir, but now it seemed even if he hadn’t abandoned the idea, it wouldn’t be easy.

“The great being behind me will not be pleased?” Meng Qi mused over Liuluo’s tone. “Does that fruit relate to the fish escaping its angler? Would Gu Xiaosang really be so kind?”

And yet, as merely the Xuan Nu sect heir, she knew far too much…

…

Returning to the Sumu Immortal Realm, Liuluo directly entered a palace without knocking, and immediately demanded, “You intercepted the message from ‘Crazy Blade’ Su Meng to my master. What punishment do you deserve?”