Chapter 224
Chapter 224
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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I headed straight to the Wudang Sect the very next day after freeing the Shadowless Sect disciples from the wooden armor. Since I had already visited the Wudang Sect once before, I told the Sword Demon I could get there immediately using the Golden Flying Vessel.
He nodded approvingly.
"That will save us time."
"You're looking for the Famed Dragon to discuss the Coiling Abyss Sword and Tianzhu Sword, right?"
"That's part of it. There's also something I want to talk to him about."
Flash!
We teleported right in front of the Wudang Sect's mountain gate using the flying vessel. A short walk ahead would lead to the Sword Washing Pool, but at this dawn hour, there was hardly any sign of life. However, after about twenty paces, something began to react.
'The gatekeeper.'
I could sense a considerable expert detecting our presence and going on alert. The Sword Demon noticed first; he moved his lips, sending a transmission message somewhere.
Rustle...
In the chilling dawn mountain wilds, the figure of a Taoist appeared. This was no ordinary disciple like the monk Wuguang I had seen before. This was none of the Wudang Eight Swords, first-class experts of the Wuzi generation. I could say that with certainty because the energy emanating from the Taoist before us was several times more powerful than Wuguang's.
Undoubtedly a peak expert!
The Taoist had snow-white hair at his temples but otherwise jet-black locks, giving him a calm and composed air. He glanced our way and spoke.
"I am Xuan Zong. It is an honor to meet the renowned Sword Demon, leader of the Shadowless Sect."
The Sword Demon returned the greeting with cupped hands.
"I never imagined I would encounter Wudang's Xuan Zong here."
Xuan Zong!
I had heard about him from Hyuncheon Adept before.
'Among the Xuanzi generation, he's said to be one of the most profound in martial arts.'
The Xuanzi generation of the Wudang Sect were currently the sect's heavyweights, serving as elders. Hyuncheon had left to establish a dojo for teaching disciples, but Xuan Zong remained on Mount Wudang as an elder of the current Wudang. A step above them was the Qingzi generation, including Qingfengzi and other sect leader-level figures who rarely stepped forward publicly. In truth, they wielded the greatest influence in the martial world.
As Hyuncheon had evaluated, Xuan Zong's energy was immensely powerful. Having cultivated the purest orthodox Wudang internal arts for decades, he exuded a majestic aura. In terms of skill, he was a peak expert on the verge of transcendent mastery.
Xuan Zong continued slowly.
"I was out for a stroll near the mountain gate at dawn and this happens—quite startling. What brings the Shadowless Sect leader to our sect?"
Xuan Zong and the Sword Demon seemed to know each other. The Sword Demon replied as if it were natural.
"I'm here to see the Famed Dragon."
Xuan Zong's eyebrow twitched.
"What? You mean my grand-martial uncle?"
"There's only one Famed Dragon left in the current martial world from the Mingzi generation."
"Leave."
Xuan Zong issued the expulsion order without hearing more, his expression one of utter disbelief. He glared at us fiercely and continued.
"My grand-martial uncle is occupied with important matters and cannot meet outsiders."
"That matter must be restoring the Coiling Abyss Sword and Tianzhu Sword, right?"
"......!!"
"I'm here to discuss that."
Before the startled Xuan Zong could protest, the Shadowless Sect leader grinned wickedly and added,
"If you don't take me to the Famed Dragon soon, I might just spread that secret across the jianghu."
"Urgh... How dare you threaten us at the Wudang headquarters!"
"The Famed Dragon and I already know each other. He's straightforward, so he'll understand me easily."
The Sword Demon toyed with Xuan Zong, pushing and pulling like he was mocking him. Xuan Zong, caught in the Sword Demon's verbal trap, furrowed his brow in anger. But for him, the greater fear was the sect's ultimate secrets leaking to the jianghu, so he hesitated. Moments later, Xuan Zong glared at the Sword Demon and said,
"Have you told that secret to anyone else?"
"Not at all. Do I look like the type?"
"...Fine. But if you're lying, you won't leave our headquarters alive."
"Don't worry—just lead the way."
"Wait here."
Flash!
Xuan Zong suddenly vanished from the spot using the Wudang Sect's Cloud Riding Technique. He had probably gone to inform other Wudang Taoists or Qingzi-generation elders. The Sword Demon leaned casually against a nearby tree and chuckled.
"He's probably shitting bricks."
"Impressive."
"I can handle someone like Xuan Zong with ease."
"......"
Considering that Xuanzi-generation Taoists were typically peak experts, Wudang elders, and renowned figures across the land, this was no idle boast. Someone of Xuan Zong's caliber could leave Wudang at any time and establish his own Taoist sect. Only someone like the Sword Demon, the top demonic expert, could treat him so lightly.
About two quarters of an hour later, Xuan Zong returned with no fewer than six experts in tow. He glared at us as if he wanted to devour us whole and said,
"Follow me."
"You clearly don't trust me at all. To think you'd even hastily summon Qing Yizi."
"......"
Indeed.
Of the six Xuan Zong had brought, five were Xuanzi-generation Wudang elders, and the remaining one was Qing Yizi, whom I had seen before. Qing Yizi was Martial Brother to Wudang Sect Leader Qingfengzi and undoubtedly a transcendent expert. The power gathered here was overwhelming.
Qing Yizi looked at the Sword Demon Ximen Daryong with deep-set eyes and said,
"I've heard the sect leader is usually humble and courteous, but when he bristles with killing intent, he truly becomes the Sword Demon as his title suggests. That's why we're wary. I hope there are no major conflicts between us."
"Do as you like. Frankly, I'm suspicious you're trying to lure me into a trap."
"Hmph..."
Qing Yizi snorted and turned away. He then took the lead, guiding the group onward. As I followed, I thought to myself,
'What a sight.'
There weren't many places in the current martial world with such a high concentration of experts. Peak experts weren't something you saw every day. I wondered what fraction of Wudang's total strength these Taoists represented, but without knowing the power of the Famed Dragon or Qingzi generation, I gave up calculating.
After about one quarter of an hour, we arrived before a massive peak.
"Wait here."
Qing Yizi, reaching the midpoint of the peak, scaled the cliff and entered a cave without using his hands. His lightness skill was remarkable.
Moments later, something small fluttered out of the cave toward us.
Tap.
It flew dozens of paces and landed before us without so much as a sound. Clearly, this was the realm of Wall-Walking. The small boy in Wudang Taoist robes who appeared before the group stared at the Sword Demon and said,
"You whelp, what's your game?"
The Sword Demon chuckled and replied,
"What game? I have important matters to discuss, so get rid of your disciples."
The Famed Dragon nodded.
"Understood. All of you, withdraw."
"Grand-Martial Uncle!!"
The Xuanzi-generation elders panicked. It was understandable—they saw it as dangerous for the Famed Dragon to face the top demonic expert alone. As the Famed Dragon seemed about to snap irritably, the following Qing Yizi said,
"Understood, Grand-Martial Uncle. Please be careful."
"Right. I'll contact Qingfeng separately."
"Yes."
Flash!
The Wudang experts, including Qing Yizi, vanished from the area. The Famed Dragon crossed his arms and said,
"Coiling Abyss Sword and Tianzhu Sword? Sword Demon, are you joking?"
"No joke. You'll see once you look."
Before the Famed Dragon could respond, the Sword Demon drew his sword and began slowly demonstrating his swordsmanship in a wide clearing. His movements weren't particularly fast—slow enough for an ordinary person to follow. It didn't seem like peerless swordsmanship, but in truth, it encapsulated the essences of the Coiling Abyss Sword and Tianzhu Sword.
Swoosh...
"......!!"
After the Sword Demon blended the essences into his Shadowless Soul Severing Swordsmanship for about fifty exchanges, the Famed Dragon's face hardened. Once the demonstration ended, the Sword Demon said,
"Now do you believe me?"
"How did you obtain it?"
"Thanks to our White Protector here."
The Famed Dragon's gaze turned to me as the Sword Demon explained.
"The White Protector obtained a fortuitous encounter in a Wudang ruin—a martial art passed down through memory. It included the Coiling Abyss Sword, Tianzhu Sword, True Martial Seven Absolutes, Mysterious Heaven Five Divine Formulas, Taiji Essential Unity Sword, Seven Star Obscuring Shadow, and Unparalleled Tyrant. Thanks to him, I was able to learn the Coiling Abyss and Tianzhu essences that suited me best."
"Hard to believe."
"White Protector, demonstrate it."
At the Sword Demon's words, I nodded and swiftly began executing the Wudang absolute arts.
Pabababang!
Now that I had memorized them thoroughly, my proficiency in these arts was quite high. Executed without error, the linkages flowed even faster. In less than a quarter of an hour, I completed the full set, leaving the Famed Dragon frozen in place as if drained of strength.
"......"
After a long moment, he snapped out of it and said,
"Damn it! How the hell did the Shadowless Sect obtain these insights?!"
Somehow venting his frustration, the Famed Dragon suddenly glared at the Sword Demon and said,
"You little punk... what's your angle?"
"What angle?"
"If you'd monopolized these arts and trained for a decade or two, your skills would have multiplied several times. So why come tell me about it?"
"A fair question."
The Sword Demon smiled bitterly and said,
"Because now's not the time for us to fight each other."
"You don't mean..."
"Yes. The White Lotus Cult has already decided to covertly take over the Central Plains martial world. And currently, I'm nominally under their banner."
"......!!"
The Famed Dragon pondered deeply before saying,
"The Eight Demons Gathering. The Protector Lion himself appeared?"
"Yes. Even the strongest, the Wind God Style's Protector Lion Dugojun, subdued me. The other eight demons are probably already the White Lotus Cult's puppets."
"Damn it..."
Spitting curses, the Famed Dragon said,
"You don't want to serve under the White Lotus Cult. So you're sharing the Coiling Abyss and Tianzhu essences with me to raise your level further as a countermeasure."
"Exactly."
"Kekeke, you're insane. You really think you can defeat a Protector Lion with your own power?"
There was even a sense of resignation in the Famed Dragon's words. The Sword Demon nodded and said,
"In my view, the insights our White Protector obtained were likely created directly by the originator, Zhang Sanfeng. No one in the world would think they fall short of the White Lotus Cult's Four Guardian Styles."
"......"
The Famed Dragon seemed lost in thought. Then he said,
"What was the level of that Dugojun you faced?"
"Even if you and I attacked together, we'd struggle to sever one of his arms."
"Whew... As the White Lotus Cult's number two in name and reality, it's to be expected."
Despite the Sword Demon's despairing assessment, the Famed Dragon merely smiled bitterly. Watching this, the Sword Demon's eyebrow twitched.
"You already knew the Protector Lions' prowess."
"How could I not? Those monsters' power..."
Muttering, the Famed Dragon said,
"As you say, cultivating those insights could match or surpass a Protector Lion's power. But you're overlooking the most crucial issue."
"The Heavenly Spirit Pill?"
The Famed Dragon nodded.
"Without reaching a realm comparable to the Heavenly Spirit Pill, which allows unlimited internal energy, no matter how profound the techniques or intent absolutes, you'll always be at a disadvantage."
"Does Wudang possess a realm equivalent to the Heavenly Spirit Pill?"
"If we did, I would have mastered it by now. There's no such absurd realm—barring becoming an immortal and ascending, that is."
"......"
An absurd realm.
The Sword Demon seemed to grasp something from the mention and fell silent.
Smiling, the Famed Dragon said,
"You've caught on too."
"You're the longest-lived righteous sect elder in the Nine Great Sects, a master who has achieved rejuvenation in old age. Your internal energy is probably the pinnacle of the righteous factions. For even you to call the Heavenly Spirit Pill absurd..."
The Sword Demon trailed off, and the Famed Dragon nodded.
"Exactly. The Heavenly Spirit Pill isn't a martial realm. I see it as a power obtained through special rituals via spirit descent."
Spirit descent and power!
These were words not found in orthodox martial systems. They were clearly from unorthodox demonic paths. That the Wudang Sect's foremost eccentric, the Famed Dragon, used such terms when discussing the Heavenly Spirit Pill meant it was an utterly suspicious realm in itself. He continued,
"The reason I think so is that my divination senses a spirit possession vibe every time a Protector Lion activates their Heavenly Spirit Pill—like a descent is occurring."
"Spirit possession?"
"I clashed with the Wind God Style Protector Lion and the Fire God Style Protector Lion once each. It's an intuition from then, so it's reliable."
The Sword Demon pondered deeply. Then he said,
"It's hard to grasp. Spirit possession, descent... Are you saying the Protector Lions borrow someone else's power to achieve the Heavenly Spirit Pill?"
"Slightly different. I think the Heavenly Spirit Pill isn't achieved—it's connected to."
"Connected? To whom?"
"A god."
The Famed Dragon's eyes gleamed sharply.
"A link to the enormous 'something' worshipped by the White Lotus Cult coils within the human soul, lending unlimited power... That's the only way to explain the Heavenly Spirit Pill. No Daoist transcendent realm can account for it."
"......"
"I believe it's a god's power."
The Heavenly Spirit Pill was a state of borrowing a god's power!
That was the Famed Dragon's verdict on the Heavenly Spirit Pill.