Chapter 63: Martial Artists Battle Immortals
Another month passed swiftly.
Inside the cave dwelling, Lü Yang sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, a mass of white qi surging and tumbling in his palm.
After a long while, Lü Yang gently tossed it outward.
Boom!
With a loud explosion, the white qi rapidly expanded, reconstituting into a human form identical in appearance to Lü Yang, though its aura was entirely different.
Lü Yang's true body's aura was ethereal like an immortal, possessing the Dao essence found only in superior true qi of genuine cultivators.
In contrast, the white qi incarnation of Lü Yang exuded overwhelming blood energy, each movement seemingly bearing the weight of a thousand catties, and his upright, handsome face carried an innate majesty.
"Not bad, not bad!"
Gazing at the 'Innate True Qi Incarnation' he had painstakingly refined over a month, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction.
"Unexpectedly, martial arts have such applications."
Typically, the Innate True Qi Incarnation couldn't break through.
Its essence was a mass of white qi, impermanent and untrainable, akin to Lü Yang's previous cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light, where his body ultimately transformed into a blood shadow.
However, martial arts changed everything.
By eschewing the path of immortal cultivation, martial arts focused solely on nurturing and refining blood energy, which perfectly suited the Innate True Qi Incarnation, allowing it to overcome the barrier of being untrainable.
"Unfortunately, I still don't understand how to proceed to the fourth step."
At present, the 'Innate True Qi Incarnation' possessed only the strength of the third step in martial arts.
Though Lü Yang had deduced the fourth step, he had yet to find the correct path.
Therefore, this time, Lü Yang planned to visit Tianjing City.
He intended to meet 'Saintly Scholar' Wang Boyuan, who had pioneered the fourth step in martial arts, hoping to glean some inspiration from him.
"Let you venture out on my behalf."
With a thought, Lü Yang's Innate True Qi Incarnation immediately disintegrated on the spot, transforming into a stream of white qi that vanished into the sky, heading towards Tianjing City.
"It finally moved!"
Almost simultaneously, within the Wei family residence in Tianjing City, the ten-year-old 'Wei Yun' suddenly looked up at the sky, a flash of bright light passing through his black eyes.
However, the next moment, he frowned.
"Something's off, it's a clone."
Observing the divination results, the Yun family patriarch gritted his teeth in anger.
After waiting ten years and expending significant effort to manipulate karma, he had only managed to lure out a clone.
Was that little demon truly so unhurried?
The Demon Sect always emphasized bold advancement, yet suddenly, such a cautious old turtle had emerged.
For the first time, the Yun family patriarch felt troubled.
However, he quickly adjusted his plan.
Since you sent out a clone, I'll find a way to destroy it and see if your true body can remain still!
Of course, he wouldn't act personally, as that would only alert the enemy.
The best approach was to have martial artists within the secret realm eliminate Lü Yang's clone, allowing them to discover the truth of the secret realm and rise in rebellion.
Naturally, the rebellion was doomed to fail.
The Yun family patriarch didn't care about their success; the crucial part was the process of rebellion.
Once these martial artists left the secret realm, even if they died, their souls would enter the cycle of reincarnation, making it impossible for the Dao Lord to retrieve them.
Although they would lose their lives, they would gain freedom.
Upon reincarnation, these billions of souls would fill the vast karmic web of heaven and earth, granting him immense merit.
"Perfect timing, I can have that person take action."
With this thought, the Yun family patriarch immediately performed a hand seal to manipulate karma.
"What secrets does this Heavenly Book conceal?"
In the imperial palace of Tianjing City, Ji Xiongying, one of the seven martial arts Celestials of the current era, furrowed his brows as he examined a golden book before him.
The Heavenly Book comprised four volumes, divided equally among Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
According to legend, the final volume was lost among the populace and vanished without a trace.
However, unbeknownst to others, the Great Zhou royal family had secretly acquired it.
It was through this Heavenly Book that Ji Xiongying had completed the three steps of martial arts by the age of thirty.
After 'Saintly Scholar' Wang Boyuan revealed the method for the fourth step, Ji Xiongying created 'World Authority,' harnessing the nation's power to bolster himself, ultimately breaking through to become a Celestial Grandmaster.
Yet, the more he delved into the Heavenly Book, the more anxious he became.
"Where did the Heavenly Book originate?"
"Everything has a source. If the Heavenly Book is so profound, perhaps only the legendary immortals could have created it."
This thought sparked boundless ambition in Ji Xiongying's heart.
Even after achieving the status of a martial arts Celestial, he found his lifespan remained unchanged, akin to that of an ordinary person.
How could he accept this?
"I desire immortality! I want to live forever!"
"I wish to become an immortal...!"
A trace of blood-red light flickered in Ji Xiongying's eyes.
His already strong desire was now deliberately stirred.
At this critical juncture—
"Who's there!"
Suddenly, Ji Xiongying looked up.
His 'World Authority' allowed him to sense the fluctuations in the Great Zhou's national fortune.
Tianjing City, being the capital, was virtually his domain.
At this moment, he detected a distinct 'foreign entity' intruding into his territory.
With a thought, Ji Xiongying instantly infused himself with the nation's power.
In that moment, it was as if billions of Great Zhou citizens were supporting his body, enabling him to break the martial artist's limitation of flight and soar into the depths of the clouds.
Then, he saw a figure.
The newcomer wore flowing robes, traversing the sky with clouds beneath his feet, appearing as a celestial being.
Only his gaze towards Ji Xiongying held a hint of surprise.
"You can actually fly?"
Observing the martial artist before him, Lü Yang calculated with his fingers and immediately discerned Ji Xiongying's identity.
"So that's it. A Celestial has indeed broken through the martial arts barrier."
Ji Xiongying also scrutinized Lü Yang, frowning.
"Your qi isn't condensed, your blood isn't refined, only your spirit is somewhat decent. Seems like you're a rogue cultivator taking an unconventional path. Yet, you can fly. Did you obtain some secret technique? Never mind, once I capture you, I'll naturally uncover the truth!"
With that, Ji Xiongying directly attacked!
Previously, though domineering, he wouldn't act without cause.
However, now, his unfulfilled desires made him restless.
Moreover, he believed Lü Yang wasn't a martial arts Celestial.
Without that status, Lü Yang wasn't qualified to converse with him as an equal.
Thus, capturing him would also serve as an outlet for his frustration.
"Come here!"
In the next moment, Ji Xiongying moved, instantly appearing before Lü Yang, his five fingers reaching for Lü Yang's neck, the airflow at his fingertips emitting a piercing screech.
Lü Yang and Ji Xiongying were now in close proximity.
He could even faintly hear the sound of rushing rivers from Ji Xiongying's body—that was his blood surging.
The beating of his heart resembled a celestial drum, indicating an incredibly powerful physique.
"Definitely comparable to the peak of Qi Refining."
Lü Yang was astonished.
In terms of physical strength alone, Ji Xiongying even surpassed Lü Yang, who had partially mastered the Saint Thief technique.
Truly inhuman.
"But it seems that's all he has."
Splat!
In the next second, blood splattered.
Ji Xiongying staggered backward, shock in his eyes as he stared at Lü Yang.
Between them, a 'white line' was gradually fading.
It was this 'white line' that had just sliced open his palm.
"What kind of martial art is this?"
"Sword Qi Talisman."
Under Ji Xiongying's stunned gaze, Lü Yang smiled calmly, then took out a yellow paper filled with scribbles and set it ablaze.
Boom!
In an instant, Ji Xiongying felt a sharp pain between his eyebrows.
The sword qi that had just torn through his palm now erupted from the burning talisman!
Under the brilliant sword qi, a bewildered face was illuminated.
What... what is this!?