Chapter 382: Stranger, destiny, meeting the old gentleman again

Xu Xu Jiangxian looked confused, muttering in a low voice: "Like seeing the Supreme?"

Three thousand years ago, the three who truly ascended were Lu Yu, the Empress, and the Demon Master.

They were all people born in this world.

However, in later legends, there was another woman, said to be Lu Chen's fiancée, who also ascended, but her name was not well-known.

Major sects had detailed records of the lives of these three ascenders, except for this woman whose name had been lost, only knowing she came from Great Qi during the Warring States period.

Legend has it that when the ascension platform opened, she ascended in broad daylight, and the Hexi Circuit still has her temple sacrifices, with incense burning endlessly.

"Could she be the Supreme?"

Lu Hua seemed to see through the Demon Master's confusion and said slowly:

"When Lu Chen was in the secular world, he had a fiancée who hadn't married yet, named Xie Xie Lingxuan."

Lu Hua nodded and said slowly: "Xie Xie Lingxuan never married, and at forty, her appearance was still like a young girl of twenty, not aging, which was a strange thing."

Xu Xu Jiangxian frowned, "Xie surname? The Xie family of Above Bianjing?"

Lu Hua was a bit surprised, "The current Marquis of Dingyuan of Great Qi is the descendant of Xie Xie Lingxuan's clan, does the Demon Master actually know this?"

Xu Xu Jiangxian smiled slightly, then revealed a secret of the Demon Sect: "After the Demon Master Huang Dao ascended, although he never took a disciple in his life, he had a close friend who traveled the Jianghu with him, and this person was from the Xie family of Great Qi, named Xie Mu."

"Three thousand years ago, the Demon Sect was in great chaos. A man emerged from the void to unify the nine branches of the Demon Sect. Patriarch Xie Mu, who was revered as the Demon Emperor, not only passed down the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy' but also left behind the 'Dao Heart Planting Demons.' In the chronicles of the Demon Sect, it is recorded that Patriarch Xie Mu's elder sister was none other than Xie Xie Lingxuan."

Xu Xu Jiangxian's gaze was deep, as if looking through three thousand years of time at the past, saying softly:

"This past event, I fear even the descendants of the Marquis of Dingyuan do not know."

Lu Hua felt it was a bit funny upon hearing this; Xie Guan, if one speaks of it, was actually a descendant of the same clan as the female immortal.

Master Master Lianchi tasted a deeper meaning from these words and said in a deep voice:

"Since there are immortals reincarnating in this world, will the gate of ascension open again? When Lu Chen was the Yan King, the ascension platform appeared precisely because of Xie Xie Lingxuan's existence."

He turned his gaze to Xu Li Xian, his tone carrying a hint of probing: "According to the First Master's theory, this world is the place of ascension, so who should the Supreme be reflected upon?"

The First Master stood on the side, his gaze fixed on the brilliantly lit Invitation Immortal Tower, shaking his head slowly, his tone deep.

"You are wrong, the opening of the gate of ascension was not because of Xie Xie Lingxuan."

"But because Lu Chen once met another existence in his life."

"That existence possessed knowledge far beyond this world. In the legacy left by Lu Chen, he once said that his life's achievements were aided by him."

Lu Hua also interjected: "Founder Lu Chen used 'Supreme' to describe him. What Taoism calls 'Supreme' refers to the highest, an existence that merges with the mysterious Dao, indescribable as the Dao."

"It also refers to the master of this world, quietly overlooking the vicissitudes of heaven and earth, quietly watching the changes of the world."

"As for Xie Xie Lingxuan, she was just a... stranger who fell into this world by mistake!"

The last three words made Xu Xu Jiangxian and Master Lianchi thoughtful.

"Stranger?"

A traveler traveling far away, not returning, is a stranger.

Xie Xie Lingxuan just meant returning from this world.

Xu Li Xian said slowly, "These strangers always have something different from ordinary people, as long as the timing is right, they will leave."

The Demon Master and Master Lianchi were not stupid people; they were both people who walked the world as Grandmasters of sects that had been passed down for thousands of years, and as one thread after another was revealed.

The two finally sorted out the clues.

Today's opening of the Shocking God Array, and the "Invitation Immortal Tower" built by the Master, all show that all his plans have only one purpose.

He wants to see that "Supreme."

Just like Lu Chen seeing the Supreme back then.

As for!

Strangers like Xie Xie Lingxuan, combined with various things before.

Xu Xu Jiangxian spat out a sentence leisurely, "Could it be that the stranger is one of the remaining three masters of the Academy."

Xu Li Xian sighed upon hearing this, shaking his head:

"I don't know! The Master doesn't know either!"

"The Master searched the world, but never found the opportunity for ascension. When he assisted the Tang monarch in unifying the world, he saw no sign of ascension; after splitting the Tang Dynasty, he gained nothing. Even in the Three Truths Sect, he found the legend of the Three Truths ascension, and cast a great cauldron at the Dragon-Raising Pool, but never managed to trigger the appearance of the ascension platform."

The boy-like Xu Li Xian's tone carried deep emotion, as if telling a long-dusty regret.

"Everything, everything about ascension, was speculated by us later generations based on clues. The Master exhausted his life, but ultimately failed to see through the mystery of ascension."

These words came out, as if revealing a hidden truth between heaven and earth.

So!

The Master set up the Shocking God Array, not to protect Great Qi, but to imprison immortals.

The First Master's tone was strange, "And according to what Founder Lu Chen said, this 'Supreme' seems to... harbor kindness."

Master Lianchi chanted a Buddha name, the way of heaven is ruthless, and this existence, which is similar to the master of the entire world, would be described by Lu Chen as "harboring kindness," which is truly surprising.

Xu Xu Jiangxian frowned, saying in a low voice: "Actually, we are also gambling?"

"If this 'Supreme' doesn't have such kindness, how should we conduct ourselves?"

Master Master Lianchi put his hands together, saying in a deep voice: "The old monk doesn't know the Supreme's heart, after all, heaven's will is hard to measure. But the old monk knows that what the Master did in the human world is evil."

"The old monk came here precisely to remove the scourge of the human world."

The First Master Xu Li Xian nodded, "What we can do now is to destroy everything the Master wants to do."

He turned his gaze to the rolling water control flowing downstream.

"Since the will of the Supreme is with us."

"Today, let's kill the Master!"

The four remained silent.

Kill the Master?

Xu Xu Jiangxian's heart trembled, the original hesitant thoughts were cut off by his sword intent.

Only a firm heart remained.

When true experts fight, their minds cannot have a trace of waves or retreat, otherwise it is ten deaths and no life.

Like these Grandmasters of the world, as long as they make up their minds, they will be as firm as a rock.

The boy-like First Master also had more smiles on his face, saying in a relaxed tone.

"If we face the Master, we don't have to be so tragic, as if rushing to the Yellow Springs. The current Master has no true physical body to rely on, and his strength is likely less than half of what it used to be."

"Our chances of winning are actually not small."

Changing the subject, he said again: "But since we are going to face the Master directly today, we may encounter unpredictable consequences."

"Therefore, I hope everyone can be honest with each other and understand each other."

He took the lead in stating: "I have stepped into the Ninth Rank of Martial Arts, the Xuan Dan realm, and my spirit has crossed the Yang Spirit realm."

Everyone was not surprised by this; the four masters of the Academy were all the strongest in the world, second only to the Master.

The martial arts of the world have nine realms, each of which is the ultimate test of a martial artist's body and mind, and those who can reach this realm are all extraordinary and holy.

And the cultivation of the spirit is even more thorny, with ten realms in total.

Even if a martial artist can cultivate to the ninth realm on the path of martial arts, they can only enjoy a lifespan of ninety years in the human world.

However, if one can cultivate the spirit to the tenth realm—the Yang Spirit realm—before the age of ninety, and achieve the perfect combination of "martial arts" and "spirit," then it is possible to break the shackles of "martial artists having a lifespan of ninety in the human world" and step into a more profound realm.

This is also why Lu Hua told Xie Guan about the method of dual cultivation of martial arts and spirit.

Only when the two complement each other can one have a path to ascend, otherwise it is just a cliff with a broken head.

However, the step of combining the two is so difficult.

A person's energy is limited, and taking care of both requires outstanding talent.

Even Lu Hua, who is known as a cultivation genius, has only reached the ninth realm—the Ziwei Wall realm—in spiritual cultivation so far, and cannot yet penetrate the Yang Spirit realm.

Even if a martial artist can cultivate to the Ninth Realm on the path of martial arts, they can only enjoy a lifespan of ninety years in the mortal world.

The First Master said: "My destiny is called 'Carefree Travel,' which can travel ten thousand miles in an instant, the world is boundless, and wherever my footprints reach, I can cross thousands of mountains and rivers in the blink of an eye."

The First Master traveled the world, his footprints all over the countries, almost able to reach anywhere in an instant.

The First Master confessed honestly.

Xu Xu Jiangxian and Master Master Lianchi had heard of the First Master's destiny ability, but hearing it with their own ears today, their hearts couldn't help but be shocked.

White clouds cover the world, I walk freely. The name Carefree Travel is just right.

Lu Hua also said: "I have reached the Ninth Rank of Martial Arts, and my spirit has also reached the perfection of the ninth realm, only one step away from the Yang Spirit realm, but I have not yet condensed my destiny."

"But with the help of the Three Truths magic weapon, I can perform a destiny killing move in a short time."

As soon as these words came out!

Master Master Lianchi and Xu Xu Jiangxian both showed slight surprise; being able to perform a destiny killing move without reaching the Yang Spirit realm is truly... shocking.

The Grand Secretary spoke with frank honesty.

Although Xu Xu Jiangxian and Master Master Lianchi had long heard of the Grand Secretary's innate ability, hearing it with their own ears today still left them feeling shaken.

"Even in a short time, the golden body can regenerate damaged flesh and limbs."

He paused slightly, continuing: "In addition, this golden body power can also be blessed on others, covering about four people. Our number is just right."

The Demon Master raised his eyes slightly.

Once these words were spoken!

As long as that barrier cannot be broken, any attack will be invisible, and this defensive power can be shared with others, which can be called the ultimate protection.

And the Demon Master also spoke slowly: "I have reached the Ninth Rank of Martial Arts, and my spirit has also reached the Yang Spirit realm, and my destiny is Heart Demon Guide."

"Within a certain distance, I can force others to produce a second consciousness, making them unable to maintain their true self."

"Of course, if this person is killed by my own hands, that consciousness will occupy their body and be controlled by me."

"Even if it is a dead corpse, I can make it produce thoughts again, resurrecting it in a short time for my use."

The Demon Master heard this and raised his eyes slightly.

Although he had long known that Master Master Lianchi was the world's number one in the Vajra Realm, he had not expected his innate divine ability to be such an ultimate defensive technique.

One's destiny is absolute defense; as long as that barrier cannot be broken, the other party will never be hurt.

To defeat him, one must kill him with a thunderous blow.

What is even more amazing is that this defensive power can be blessed on others, which can be called the ultimate protection.

And the Demon Master's "Heart Demon Guide" is even more treacherous and unpredictable, impossible to guard against.

Once hit, another self will appear out of thin air in the mind, talking, arguing, and even confronting oneself.

No matter how firm one's mind is, I fear they will be forced into a state of madness.

The First

One's innate ability is absolute defense; as long as that barrier cannot be broken, the opponent will never be injured.

To defeat him, one must deliver a fatal blow with the momentum of thunder.

What is even more astonishing is that this defensive power can actually be bestowed upon others, which can be called the pinnacle of Dao-protection.

And the Demon Master's "Heart Demon Inducement" is even more treacherous and unpredictable, impossible to guard against.

Once struck, another version of oneself will appear out of thin air in one's mind, talking, arguing, and even fighting against oneself.

Even a person with the most resilient mind would likely be driven to the brink of madness.

After listening, the Grand Secretary nodded slowly, "The cultivation of you two has reached the apex; there are very few in the world who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you."

In today's world, apart from the unquestionable number one, the Master, the four gentlemen and the six great grandmasters are the most transcendent.

Beyond them, no one else can step into such a realm.

Xu Xu Jiangxian suddenly spoke, his eyes strange as he said, "Grand Secretary, do you know what the Master's innate ability is?"

As the person who knows the Master best in the world.

Xu Li Xian shook his head, his expression filled with reverence:

"I have followed the Master for many years, yet I have never seen him display his innate ability or cultivation. Most of the time, he is like an ordinary mortal... No, perhaps it is better to say he is more like a person who can correct his mistakes; he never makes the same mistake twice."

As these words fell, everyone present fell into silence.

The Master's realm had long since transcended the scope of innate divine abilities, stepping into a state difficult for ordinary people to reach.

The reason everyone holds him in awe is largely due to the unknown regarding him.

The unknown is what is most terrifying!

The four of them did not delay!

Xu Li Xian's spiritual sense had already detected a trace of unusual aura somewhere at the Fragrant Banquet.

"Everyone, please follow me."

Master Lianchi chanted a Buddhist name, his demeanor solemn.

Xu Xu Jiangxian stood with his hands behind his back, his expression returning to ease.

Under the white gauze hat, Lu Hua's expression held a bit more anticipation.

Xu Li Xian, in the guise of a youth, pointed lightly at the void. As he wrote in the air, the characters seemed to swim, and where the seal script hovered, a phantom of ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers manifested.

"Open the Heavenly Gate at the Xun position, stabilize the Kun carriage at the Li palace!"

An illusory Daoist gate appeared.

Xu Li Xian pushed the door and entered, and the others followed closely behind.

The curtain of the carriage was gently lifted.

Yu Ke's gaze fell upon a familiar figure from his memories.

He appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, his figure hunched, his face covered in wrinkles, his hair already gray, and a short, stiff handlebar mustache hanging by his mouth.

His eyes were hidden in the river mist and shadows, making them difficult to see clearly.

This person was none other than the enlightenment teacher hired for him by Lady Yuan of the Xie Fu main courtyard.

Dong Shao, the old Master Dong.

(End of Chapter)