Chapter 122

"A person in adversity can unleash limitless potential." Yan Chu brought Luo Qi to one of the perilous zones within the Valley King City Realm—the "Fish Dragon Water Marsh"—where a vast "Honghai" stretched endlessly, resembling a sea yet not a sea; apart from its freshwater, every aspect, including tides, was indistinguishable from a true ocean.

Yan Chu pointed ahead—

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Waves churned violently.

Ying Jifeng stood alone amid the waves, letting them crash against him without moving an inch.

Yan Chu said: "Brother Ying cultivates the 'Absorbing Star Great Art'—both righteous and sinister. His internal energy is vast yet chaotic, perpetually on the brink of explosive rupture. Yet through his struggle against the tidal surges, his chaotic energy is tempered; he constantly resists it, until finally, beyond 'dispersing energy' and 'gathering energy,' he comprehended the method of 'fusing energy'—one of the keys to his attainment of the Primordial Dao."

"The 'Absorbing Star Great Art'?"

"Resisting tidal waves?"

That's it?

That's enough to attain the Primordial Dao?

If so, Luo Qi wanted to say—

"You'd do it too?"

"No, no, no."

Yan Chu shook his head: "I've said it before—the 'Absorbing Star Great Art' and the tidal waves are merely one part. The crucial point is comprehending the 'fusing energy' method—but even that is only one key. Brother Ying's attainment hinges even more on his concurrent cultivation of the 'Sorrowful Soul Fists'—"

Sorrowful Soul—only parting can bring it!

In adversity, Ying Jifeng forged his internal energy into a torrent capable of resisting mountain floods and tidal surges, reversing the principles of all Gejiage Sect internal arts. The Absorbing Star Great Art, the more he absorbed, the thicker his energy grew; when attacking, his internal power flowed effortlessly—truly, "when defending, the sea is calm; when striking, heaven cracks and earth shatters."

Blended with Ying Jifeng's own wild arrogance and dominance—once the most promising Imperial Prince, disciple of Lü Xuan, the "Wind God," head of the Eight Great Vajras of the Eight-Phase Mountain, one of the Liuda Sect—his ferocious nature and ruthless dominance fused into this art, making it truly the "Wrath of the Sea."

The sea's vastness, boundless and still; the flood surging, white waves linking like mountains, endlessly shifting, hiding deadly peril.

Sometimes roaring and furious, sometimes hidden currents swift and treacherous.

When wielding the 'Sorrowful Soul Fists' in battle, its transformations are unfathomable, its power like thunderclaps, unmatched across the four seas. His internal energy merges with the sea's boundless might, multiplying his strength at astonishing speed. The sea embraces all rivers, gathers them into the body for one's own use; at its peak, one can command objects with internal force.

This is the essence of the 'Sorrowful Soul Fists.'

But the key to all this lies in—

"Sorrowful Soul!"

…

"Wu Gong is easy to cultivate; the heart-mind is hard to attain," Yan Chu said. "The 'Absorbing Star Great Art' and the 'Sorrowful Soul Fists' suit Brother Ying, so he attained the Dao swiftly. But they won't suit Brother Luo—forcing them would be useless."

After hearing Yan Chu's detailed explanation of Ying Jifeng, the 'Absorbing Star Great Art,' and the 'Sorrowful Soul Fists,' Luo Qi understood these two supreme arts were not for him—he realized Ying Jifeng's path was not his own.

But Luo Qi truly wanted to attain the Dao!

"Brother Yan!" Luo Qi bowed earnestly to Yan Chu: "Brother Yan, your genius is unmatched—please craft a supreme art for me. Whether I attain the Dao or not, I shall serve you faithfully, at your command!"

At this point, Luo Qi finally dropped his pretense as a "half-step Primordial" cultivator, emulating Ding Xiang, Ying Jifeng, Peng Fa, and others—offering himself to Yan Chu, seeking only a supreme art.

"Brother Luo, you flatter me," Yan Chu lifted him up. "But I do have one supreme art that might suit you."

"Already?" Luo Qi blinked in surprise—how quickly?

"Inspiration works like this," Yan Chu smiled. What did Luo Qi know about creating supreme arts?

He deceived Luo Qi: "I came here to observe the sea, and inspiration struck—quite coincidental. But it's still just a rough outline; I'll need one or two months to clarify its structure and refine the details."

Two more months?

That's fine!

Luo Qi had truly feared Yan Chu would just hand him some fake art to fool him.

Yan Chu never fooled people: "This art is still just a concept—but as for cultivation, you can begin today. From now on, observe the sea here, watch with your heart, listen with your heart. Nothing is harder than sincerity. When I complete this art, perhaps that will be your day of attaining the Dao."

…

"Senior Brother!"

"I've become a living trademark with Brother Ying!"

Ding Xiang watched Liu Xin depart—this was the fourth Cangshan prodigy since her and Ying Jifeng's attainment to seek Yan Chu for a customized supreme art—

Luo Qi, Guo Xi, Jing Bao, Liu Xin!

Add to them Peng Fayan, Ban Xianfo, Lu Yuru, Ma Hongniang, the newly attained Ding Xiang and Jing Bao, plus Yan Chu's fellow townsfolk Wang Ge and Fu Yunzhan, and the earlier attainers Chen Ze and Wang Zhengyi—

"All the prodigies of the First Cangshan Sword Forum have fallen into Senior Brother's net!" Ding Xiang's eyes curved like crescent moons, her smile blooming like flowers.

"The Dao is understood in sequence; don't say that," Yan Chu shook his head.

But Ding Xiang was right—half a year later, the landscape of the Valley King City had changed utterly.

When they first arrived in July last year, Ban Xianfo, Jing Bao, Peng Fayan, Luo Qi, and others all acted independently, putting on airs, each pretending harmony while secretly proud—after all, they were all among the Top Twelve of the Cangshan Sword Forum, top-tier prodigies of Great Yan; why should one be above another?

Many held this mindset.

Until the appearance of the "Ladder City" and the "Demon Sound Continent King City Rivalry," which crushed some of their arrogance—then Yan Chu gained his first followers: Ding Xiang, Peng Fayan, Ban Xianfo, Lu Yuru.

Later, as Yan Chu and Wang Zhengyi attained the Dao, others began to stir.

Until Ding Xiang and Ying Jifeng unexpectedly attained the Dao—everyone finally could no longer sit still, rushing to him in droves.

To attain the Dao!

No more shame!

Thus, the Valley King City stood united, an ironclad bloc, unshakable.

"Senior Brother is always so humble," Ding Xiang loved him more. She looked at Yan Chu: "There's no war in the Valley King City—Senior Brother teaches martial arts in the Valley King City army, from the 'Dragon Elephant Samadhi Power' to the 'Five Fists,' and these past two days you've reached the 'Little Luo Han Array,' the 'Eighteen Bronze Men Array,' and the 'Twenty-Four Luo Han Array.' May I ask boldly—will you be leaving again soon?"

Last time, Yan Chu had taught continuously for half a month in the army, thoroughly explaining the "Five Fists," then transmitted the "Little Luo Han Array" and the "Dragon Elephant Samadhi Power" before departing.

Ding Xiang guessed this would be the same.

She was right.

"Indeed," Yan Chu didn't hide it.

In the Valley King City, every newly attained Primordial he knew well—nearly all were cultivating the supreme arts he had customized for them, which aided his own progress, but ultimately, it was still just one pot of meat stewed in one pot—the cake couldn't grow faster.

Yan Chuang still had to leave, and his first choice was still Hunxi Wang Cheng.

"Hunxi Wang Cheng?" Ding Xiang froze.

She had read the latest installment of the Heavenly Rankings, where she saw not only herself and Ying Jifeng listed, but also Yan Chuang's rank surging to eleventh place—she had seen his battlefield record in Hunxi Wang Cheng, which was precisely why she was puzzled: Hunxi Wang Cheng housed the Sijiasan Sect, and Yan Chuang had killed a second-rank divine general of the Fu family and offended two third-rank divine generals of the Fu family—how could he possibly dare return under such circumstances?

Doesn't he fear death?

The Lishan Sect, one of the four families and three sects of Hunxi, invited me to serve as an outpost benefactor. Lishan Sect boasts primordial-level masters in abundance and supreme techniques like raindrops—this is a rare opportunity, and I want to go see for myself." Yan Chuang spoke the truth.

For him—

Primordial divine generals!

Supreme technique scriptures!

These were the foundation of his "Teaching and Learning Mutual Growth" and "Derivative Method"—they greatly aided his improvement in martial arts mastery and accelerated the development of his derivative techniques.

Lishan Sect!

Perfect place!

For himself, this was one reason.

Moreover, his master Cheng Fengxiao was training in the Jiujiang Courtyard of Lishan Sect, cultivating the "Four Seas Unify Art." Yan Chuang wanted to go to Lishan Sect, to the Jiujiang Courtyard, to gain more feedback on the "Four Seas Unify Art" from the primordial-level masters there, deepening his own mastery of this divine art, then feeding it back to Cheng Fengxiao so his master could better comprehend it and advance faster toward Dao realization.

For himself!

For his master!

Hunxi Wang Cheng, Lishan Sect, Jiujiang Courtyard—Yan Chuang was ready to go there again!

But Senior Brother offended the Fu family, and in Nanxiong City, you revealed your ability to reverse-kill a Primordial Sixth Layer with Primordial Second Layer, and escape from a Primordial Twelve Layer— I fear not only will the Fu family continue hunting you, but someone in Lishan Sect might also covet you and harbor ill intentions!" Ding Xiang worried.

But Yan Chuang knew his own strength.

First, he had ample "Fire Bud Crystals," his power changing daily, always improving—after the battle in Nanxiong City, when he returned to Tangu Wang Cheng, only an hour had passed, yet Yan Chuang had already refined six more Fire Bud Crystals, his physical strength now rivalling Primordial Fifth Layer—

Although "physical strength" is also measured against Primordial First Layer through Primordial Second Layer up to Primordial Twentyfold, "Primordial Fifth Layer physical strength" does not mean the physical strength of a Primordial Fifth Layer martial artist—it means the body can withstand a full-force strike from a Primordial Fifth Layer without damage!

The gap between these two is truly greater than heaven and earth—

"A Primordial Fifth Layer martial artist, without using internal energy or techniques, relying solely on physical strength, can be breached by any newly arrived Primordial Level martial artist—so their 'physical strength' doesn't even reach Primordial First Layer."

"But now, my 'physical strength' rivals Primordial Fifth Layer—just my bare body can withstand a full-force strike from a Primordial Fourth Layer, without any burst of power or life-or-death struggle!"

This is the true definition of "physical strength"!

Yan Chuang possessed ample "Fire Bud Crystals," his physical strength changing daily, constantly improving—his power was rising at every moment.

"If the Fu family sends warriors based on the strength I displayed in Nanxiong City, they'll at most dispatch several third-rank divine generals—be exceedingly cautious, and sending a fourth-rank divine general would be the absolute limit!"

Fourth-rank divine general!

Minimum Primordial Fifteenfold!

Not only powerful, but also highly esteemed.

In Lishan Sect, the entry standard for the Nine Courtyards and Ten Elders was fourth-rank—Zhou Shun, for example, was Primordial Fifteenfold.

Yan Chuang killed a second-rank divine general of the Fu family; even if they pursued him, they would at most send a fourth-rank divine general, and even that was unlikely.

And Yan Chuang?

"When I raise my physical strength to Primordial Fifth Layer and Primordial Sixth Layer, then unleash my full power—even a fourth-rank divine general won't be able to capture or kill me."

Fire Bud Crystals!

Invincible physical strength!

Changing daily!

This was one of Yan Chuang's sources of confidence.

Moreover.

Second.

"I also have 'Teaching and Learning Mutual Growth'—as long as I enter Lishan Sect and teach martial arts in the Jiujiang Courtyard, from primordial-level masters down to those breaking limits, every student listening to me will give me feedback."

Lishan Sect!

Jiujiang Courtyard!

This is a vast reservoir of experience!

"Teaching and Learning Mutual Growth"—invisible, it lets Yan Chuang harvest wave after wave of experience as nourishment for his growth.

With "Fire Bud Crystals," Yan Chuang's physical strength changes daily, his hard power constantly increasing.

With "Teaching and Learning Mutual Growth," Yan Chuang's martial arts mastery in Lishan Sect also changes daily, his soft power constantly increasing.

Both hard and soft power enhanced!

Who could predict Yan Chuang's strength?

Impossible to gauge.

If a third-rank divine general comes, Yan Chuang can fight a fourth-rank.

If a fourth-rank divine general comes, Yan Chuang can fight a fifth-rank.

If a fifth-rank divine general comes, Yan Chuang can fight a sixth-rank.

As long as he hides his true limits well, always holding something back, Yan Chuang will remain forever safe.

Yan Chuang was not afraid of the Fu family's open threats—he feared someone in Lishan Sect might turn against him, feared that some elder in Lishan Sect might take notice of him.

This was an uncontrollable factor.

Yet even facing Lishan Sect, Yan Chuang still had one final escape plan—

"If things become impossible, I'll just use Old Wang's 'Monkey King Clone' to open the 'Soul Passage' and flee!"

With Old Wang!

With the 'Soul Passage'!

Yan Chuang could ensure complete peace of mind.

With so many trump cards on hand, and even those "three hairs on the back of the head," Hunxi Wang Cheng, Lishan Sect—of course Yan Chuang has the nerve to go and try his luck!

……

Seeing she couldn't dissuade Yan Chuang, Ding Xiang immediately shifted her tone: "Senior Brother, can you take me along?"

Her "Mind-Reading Art" required being close enough to Yan Chuang to trigger. Ding Xiang truly couldn't bear to be separated from him. For instance, this time—if she had stayed by Yan Chuang's side earlier, constantly seeking his guidance, perhaps she could have attained the Dao even sooner.

When Ding Xiang attained the Dao, everyone—even Yan Chuang—felt it was too fast, too abrupt, utterly unexpected. Only Ding Xiang herself knew—

"If he hadn't disappeared for two months, I could have done it even earlier!"

Having learned her "lesson" last time, now that Yan Chuang was about to leave again, of course Ding Xiang wanted to follow. She looked at Yan Chuang with eager, pleading eyes: "I want to stay by Senior Brother's side every moment, constantly seeking your guidance. And I'm already at the Primordial Realm now—though I just broke through—every bit of ability I have, Senior Brother knows better than anyone. I'm best at lightness skills and body techniques; at the very least, protecting myself isn't hard. I absolutely won't hold Senior Brother back."

Ding Xiang wanted so badly to stay together with Yan Chuang.

But Yan Chuang still shook his head: "You also know the Fu family won't let me off. My trip to Hunxi Wang Cheng is fraught with great danger; I can hardly guarantee my own safety. Junior Sister Ding's lightness skills aren't bad, but when facing third-tier or even fourth-tier Divine Generals, they're far from sufficient."

Of course he wanted to bring Ding Xiang along too.

After all, among all the prodigies and all those at the Primordial Realm, Ding Xiang's "comprehension" was the best. She had extremely high talent in the field of lightness skills and body techniques, could easily absorb all of Yan Chuang's teachings, and then build upon them—taking Yan Chuang's output, reprocessing it, and feeding it back to him.

Put it this way!

Ding Xiang gave Yan Chuang the feeling of being a "plug-in device" in his field of lightness skills and body techniques. Yan Chuang would input his own understanding and insights about lightness skills and body techniques into this "plug-in device," where they would be transformed, and then output back as new things at more levels and from more angles—causing Yan Chuang's lightness skills and body techniques to also improve dramatically, his progress flying.

……