The azure waves rippled, flying fish leaped from the sea, and the winding coastline emerged at the horizon, with the distant land already in sight.
Meng Qi had no interest in guessing Gu Xiaosang’s true intentions, as there were too few clues to even begin deducing anything, making it a pointless waste of time. Moreover, Gu Xiaosang always seemed mysterious, as if she knew many things in advance, always staying one step ahead or perfectly timing her moves, manipulating many powerful individuals effortlessly. The clues and messages she left were half-truths, making random guesses likely to lead one astray or into traps.
Was it the same within the cycle of samsara? Meng Qi wondered whether she had teammates or preferred to act alone. What exactly did the demon girl want to achieve? Subconsciously, Meng Qi thought more about Gu Xiaosang but wasn’t worried about her being unable to escape any predicament—given her abilities, it was more practical to consider how Liu Shuyu would handle the aftermath.
Since the Su Nu Immortal Realm had not been sealed for long, Shangshui Immortal and Guo Xi were still briefly under control. With Liu Shuyu’s cover and indirect influence, they hadn’t exposed any issues. However, once Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang left, the two would eventually regain their senses. Guo Xi wasn’t a big problem—his cultivation at the Qi-opening stage left him dazed throughout, knowing nothing, understanding nothing. With a bit of secret method guiding his memory, there would be no lingering issues.
But Shangshui Immortal was an unparalleled expert, with both soul and physical body being powerful. Once recovered, she would surely sense some anomalies. She would endure having endured several terrible dual-cultivation partners, and upon reporting her abnormalities, the current Xuan Nu would immediately deduce the entire situation.
Of course, Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang already harbored deep enmity with the Su Nu Sect, so adding one more grievance hardly mattered. Since they hadn’t taken the Overlord’s Ultimate Blade or the Patriarch’s Corpse, whether they were exposed or not made little difference. Now, with the vast sea and boundless sky, fish could leap and birds could soar freely!
However, for Liu Shuyu, this was a fatal hidden danger that had to be resolved, as the Xuan Nu successor was not an irreplaceable figure.
“I wonder how she will handle this…” Meng Qi frowned, the thought of “eliminating witnesses” flashing through his mind. Not only Shangshui Immortal, but even Guo Xi would be completely erased by Liu Shuyu without leaving any hidden dangers.
Thinking of this, he felt slightly gloomy. Although Guo Xi wasn’t killed by him directly, his death was indirectly due to Meng Qi. Unfortunately, under heavy pressure before, Meng Qi barely managed to save himself, leaving no time to care for others.
“I am ultimately not a completely selfless hero…” Meng Qi sighed, adjusting his mood and no longer dwelling on this matter. He no longer worried about how Liu Shuyu, whose cultivation was far inferior to Shangshui’s, would handle the aftermath. Perhaps Gu Xiaosang had other methods left on Shangshui?
If her cleanup failed, he wouldn’t feel any pity anyway.
He then recalled and pondered the two techniques he had just obtained—the general principles of “Shenxiao Jiulie” (Nine Annihilations of Divine Brilliance) and the third and fourth cuts of the Overlord’s Six Cuts, especially the latter, which greatly aided his swordsmanship development. After all, the main body of the Nine Annihilations of Divine Brilliance was spear techniques. Although applicable to swordsmanship, it was still somewhat distant.
“I’ve also gained some insights into the techniques of Immortal God Avoids and Buddha Nirvana, which can be used to improve my swordsmanship,” Meng Qi pondered, suddenly furrowing his brow. “Assailing the Vulture Peak, Entering Nirvana for All Buddhas—why is it called ‘Vulture Peak’?”
As a transmigrator, he had no doubt that Vulture Peak represented the Buddhist sect. Thus, he hadn’t noticed anything odd at first. However, upon careful reflection now, he sensed something amiss.
In his world, the Buddha resided in the Saha Pure Land, while Amitabha Buddha dwelled in the Western Paradise. These were the true symbols of Buddhism. Vulture Peak belonged to the realm of Journey to the West. Why did the Overlord choose “Vulture Peak” instead of the more commonly known “Saha”?
“The Overlord was a legendary figure, unique across all worlds. Perhaps he left legends even in the Journey to the West world, so knowing ‘Vulture Peak’ was reasonable. But why specifically use the lesser-known ‘Vulture Peak’ instead of the widely recognized ‘Saha’ in his own world? This doesn’t fit the Overlord’s arrogant and fearless style,” Meng Qi pondered many reasons, but all seemed somewhat forced.
At this moment, endless land appeared before him, and he gathered his thoughts, quietly descending in a flash of light.
After entering the port following a period of time deep within the Eastern Sea, Meng Qi immediately sought information to avoid being targeted unknowingly.
Besides the matter of the blue-blooded people causing a stir, another piece of news was circulating in teahouses:
“The Blade Qi River Yan Chong has transcended the Lightning Tribulation and ascended to the heavens in a single step!”
In the previous generation, six individuals among the top ten on the Human Ranking ascended in a single step—the most extraordinary feat since the ranking’s inception. Many powerful figures sensed the shifts in heaven and earth, as well as the approach of a great calamity, feeling the winds of upheaval beginning to rise.
“Yan Chong ascended to heaven after passing the Heavenly Tribulation just once?” Upon hearing this news, Meng Qi felt quite pleased. Yan Chong hailed from a minor sect; although he had encountered some fortuitous opportunities, none were particularly remarkable. When he first entered the top ranks of the Human List, many assumed that reaching the Outer Scene would be his ultimate limit. Yet he persevered, advancing step by step, even leveraging external power to secure resources, techniques, and enlightenment opportunities. He never lost sight of his original aspiration, endured the hardships of rigorous cultivation, discovered his own path, ascended in a single leap, and was now poised to become a future Master.
He could be called an inspiring legend in the martial world!
In the eyes of ordinary martial artists, Meng Qi had at least entered Shaolin and received inheritances. Later, through hardships, he always had good foundations. Comparatively, Yan Chong better represented them—his cultivation was arduous, the martial world dangerous, and the path thorny, yet there was still hope of progress!
At least they could imagine that perhaps one day, “I” could also become like Yan Chong!
“He has truly come a long way, with efforts and dedication likely surpassing He Jiu, truly admirable,” Meng Qi turned and left the teahouse, feeling inspired. “I should go and congratulate him.”
With great interest, he set off into the night!
…
In Jingbo City of Pengzhou, facing the sea with beautiful mountains behind.
The “Sea Tide Sect” was a renowned sect in Jingbo, though its fame was confined to the city. It had never produced an expert who reached the Outer Scene realm nor possessed a treasured weapon, rendering it incomparable even to many martial arts schools in the capital city of Ye!
However, today, many wind-worn youths filled the Sea Tide Sect’s mountain gate, traveling thousands of miles to join. This sharp contrast to its previously deserted state brought smiles to many elders’ faces, nearly unable to contain their joy upon seeing many promising talents among the applicants.
All of this was thanks to Yan Chong, Jingbo’s first-ever “Human Ranking Champion,” the Sea Tide Sect’s first Outer Scene expert, and one of the rare few to achieve a breakthrough in a single step, with the potential to become a Grandmaster.
In the eyes of many martial artists, as long as Yan Chong joined a major force and had sufficient techniques, he would eventually ascend to the Earth List. Judging from his previous conduct, he wasn’t stubborn in this regard. Therefore, competing with geniuses in major sects was less appealing than joining the Sea Tide Sect!
Yan Chong, with his sword at his waist and hands clasped behind his back, observed the scene with a serene smile. Having been born and raised here, he took greater delight in elevating his own sect than in becoming a direct disciple of a major sect.
“Yan Young Hero.”
“Senior Yan!”
“Big Senior Brother!”
Seeing him pass by, those who came to join and the Sea Tide Sect disciples showed respect and greeted him. His junior brothers and sisters were especially excited, their faces flushed with pride.
Yan Chong nodded in response, smiling slightly. “Dark clouds gather, heavy rain approaches. Everyone, please enter the hall first.”
Summer rains always came suddenly, the sky already darkening, moisture gathering, and lightning flickering.
Watching everyone enter the hall, Yan Chong strolled with his hands behind his back toward his thatched cottage halfway up the hill, his place for quiet cultivation.
Just stepping inside, the sky suddenly brightened. A lightning bolt slashed across, followed by a thunderous roar.
Soon after, the wind picked up, heavy rain poured down, and the outside became as dark as night, with mist rising seen only during flashes of lightning.
In the fierce wind and heavy rain, the thatched cottage swayed, seemingly ready to be swept away at any moment. Yet Yan Chong showed no concern, sitting leisurely in a chair, calmly appreciating this “scenery.”
Since aspiring to the Outer Scene, he rarely had such relaxation.
Suddenly, he sensed something, turned his gaze to the window, and saw someone slowly ascending the mountain path through the heavy rain.
The figure wore black clothes, a long sword at his waist, a jar of wine in his right hand, and a paper-wrapped object in his left. His handsome face bore a heroic aura.
He carried no umbrella, nor did he emit protective qi, yet every raindrop that touched his hair, clothes, or skin slid off precisely, as if all force had been neutralized, leaving no trace of wetness.
In the pouring rain, he seemed to walk under a gentle breeze and warm sun.
With his appearance, thunder ceased, lightning vanished, and darkness deepened.
“I heard of Senior Yan’s ascension to heaven, and I couldn’t help but rejoice. I specially brought a jar of fine wine to offer my congratulations.”
The wind and rain could not mask Meng Qi’s distant voice.
As the words ended, he already stood at the door.
“Friends arriving through wind and rain—truly one of life’s great joys,” Yan Chong smiled, opening the door.
Meng Qi entered without hesitation, his manner bold and unrestrained. He unwrapped the paper, revealing marinated beef, while Yan Chong fetched two large bowls, filling them generously.
“Cheers!” Meng Qi drank first, finishing a bowl in one gulp. Yan Chong followed closely, like a whale swallowing water.
“Senior Yan’s ascension to heaven promises a bright future. Cheers again!” Meng Qi poured another bowl and drank it down.
Yan Chong, equally enthusiastic, drank heartily before saying, “Since childhood, I’ve admired other sects’ Outer Scene experts, vowing not to fall behind. Today, I’ve finally fulfilled my wish. Cheers!”
He didn’t hide his joy.
After the third bowl, he sighed and said, “We were once known as the Twin Blade Masters on the Human Ranking, often longing to test our skills against each other but always missing the opportunity. Now that we meet again, both having reached the Outer Scene, yet the gap between us is vast. A true contest is no longer meaningful—only the spirit of friendly sparring remains.”
“This blade, I’ve waited long to unleash!”
As his words ended, the sword at his waist suddenly leapt, the hilt automatically striking his palm.
Using this momentum, he smoothly drew the blade upward, reversing it toward Meng Qi. Outside, wind and rain merged, forming a towering vortex in the sky, like a coiling dragon, dark and mysterious, brimming with terrifying power, merging seamlessly with his sword aura.
Meng Qi smiled at Yan Chong, his right hand unknowingly resting on his sword hilt. His blade showed a noticeable hesitation, as if frozen, strangely still.
Zheng!
The sword unsheathed, breaking free, moving from below upward. From stillness to motion, it produced a brilliant blade light combining speed and power!
A technique Meng Qi had learned slightly from “Immortal God Avoids!”
Dang!
The blade light swept through, splitting the vortex in the sky into two halves, rapidly dispersing without affecting the storm, unnoticed by anyone.
Yan Chong remained seated, retrieving his sword, exhaling, “Your swordsmanship has already surpassed mine by far.”
If Meng Qi hadn’t held back, his sword would have already shattered.
Meng Qi’s Tianzhi Shang (Heaven’s Wound) was already sheathed, chuckling, “Your sword isn’t a treasured weapon yet. Victory feels unworthy.”
Saying this, he especially felt the hardship of cultivation for independent cultivators and small sects, who couldn’t even obtain a treasured weapon upon reaching the Outer Scene.
“I’m gathering materials, tempering and nurturing it. After all, it has accompanied me for nearly ten years.” Yan Chong smiled calmly. “Since the incident with the general principles of the Ruyi Lai Divine Palm, you appeared once in Jiangdong but have been absent ever since, unlike the usual style of the Furious Blade.”
“Just focusing on cultivation,” Meng Qi smiled. “Hence, I’ve been out of touch with martial world affairs.”
“The most sensational event currently is the matter of the blue-blooded people, causing chills and vigilance…” Yan Chong slowly explained. “Secondly, the Poisonous Hand Demon Lord has reemerged, possessing unfathomable power. It is said that without manifesting the Dharma Body, he easily surpasses the Soul-Stealing Demon Lord and is treated with the courtesy of a Master by the Su Nu Sect…”
After listing several points, he said, “The Poisonous Hand Demon Lord has been ranked ninety-ninth on the Black List compiled by various sects and aristocratic families.”
Not making it onto the Earth List, yet landing on the Black List… Hearing others discuss his alter ego, Meng Qi felt a tangled mix of pride and shame.
“Regarding the blue-blooded individuals, there is a Master Facheng, who is said to possess strength at the Grandmaster level. However, it remains unclear whether he has any secret techniques to counteract the blue blood, and the Six Ministries have yet to acknowledge him,” Yan Chong went on.
Lowering his voice, he added, “The Ruan family has secretly contacted many sects and aristocratic families, seemingly interested in the blue blood.”
Meng Qi slightly frowned; the Ruan family truly cared about the blue blood.
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