Chapter 359: Chapter 358: Advancing to Grand Master_1
However, the realm of Clear Heart Sword only exists in some rare books on the Sword Way. Ordinary swordsmen often cannot even touch its fringes. There are likely very few, even among Sky Apex Realm Swordsmen, who can master the realm of Clear Heart Sword.
"Ling Chen, I take back what I said earlier," Mo Tianya, who was also looking at Ling Chen, suddenly said.
"Since this is a Dao discussion, we should naturally exchange insights."
Ling Chen looked at Mo Tianya with some surprise, not expecting this "Cold-Blooded Gun God" to be anything but a harsh person.
"Truly worthy of being the son of Martial Arts Supreme Ling Tianyu. I look forward to your growth."
Yun Qinghong’s gaze on Ling Chen also grew much more serious. Although they had paid attention to Ling Chen before, they had not truly seen him as someone on their level. But now, his opinion had changed. Whether it was talent or temperament, Ling Chen possessed the potential to become one of the Four Outstanding Talents.
"In two years, there will be an exchange gathering for young masters at Nine Dragons Lake. Although it isn’t as influential as the Martial World Conference, its level is even higher."
Suddenly, Mo Tianya broke the silence.
"The Nine Dragons Lake gathering?"
Ling Chen had a general idea of Nine Dragons Lake’s location. It was a very remote place atop a great snow-capped mountain, covered in snow year-round. He was quite surprised that such a place would host an exchange gathering for young masters.
"That’s right. Every three years, a martial arts convention for the younger generation is held at Nine Dragons Lake. Young masters from all corners of the land will travel to Nine Dragons Lake to participate. Ling Chen, I look forward to your performance in two years."
Su Ziling also looked on with some anticipation. He had a feeling that in two years, Ling Chen might possess the strength to contend with them.
"That is indeed something to look forward to."
Ling Chen nodded, a hint of expectation in his eyes. However, there was still a significant gap between his current strength and the level of such confrontations. Fortunately, that was two years away; it was still early.
Even Ling Chen himself couldn’t predict what he would be like two years later.
BUZZ!
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently without warning. A large crack abruptly appeared in the center of the aerial courtyard, seemingly about to split the entire courtyard in two.
"Hmm?"
The five of them, acutely sensitive to ground tremors, instantly noticed the anomaly. Their gazes swept past numerous buildings and landed on an area not far away—the location of the Martial Arts Monument, and also where the Dragon Vein resided.
"The Dragon Vein is shaking without cause. Within a month, there is bound to be a major change in the Martial World," Yun Feihong said, his expression grave.
"Just what kind of power can shake the Dragon Vein?"
A flicker of astonishment appeared in Mo Wuya’s eyes.
The Dragon Vein was the strongest force in this Martial World; it was the foundation of the world. Even a Top Sky Apex Strong was insignificant before the Dragon Vein. Any power capable of shaking the Dragon Vein had to be extraordinary.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK...
At this moment, deep underground where no one could see, hidden currents surged violently, as if a terrifying Exotic Beast lurking in the depths had awakened, preparing to overturn the entire world.
In some unknown location, a profoundly dark region, the earth’s veins ruptured, and an immense palace buried deep underground began to slowly ascend from the depths.
「...」
「Thunder Roar Tavern, in a guest room.」
Ling Chen sat cross-legged in the center, his hands resting on his abdomen, slowly circulating his True Qi.
Under Ling Chen’s guidance, the True Qi spiral in his Dantian imperceptibly accelerated its rotation. Strand by strand, threads of True Qi were flung out, circulating through the meridians of his four limbs in Grand Heavenly Cycle circulations, constructing an exceedingly complex and profound map of True Qi pathways within the human body.
As the number of Grand Heavenly Cycle circulations increased, the True Qi spiral became more compact, progressively shrinking towards its center. While it might not have looked like much from the outside, the pressure at the spiral’s core was terrifying—a force capable of pulverizing top-grade refined steel. This was the heart of the True Qi spiral.
There, an illusory True Qi Virtual Pill was condensing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Ling Chen’s cultivation was already at the Ninth-level Martial Master. He had gained many insights during the Martial World Conference. Moreover, after experiencing the baptism of the Dragon Vein Power, the True Qi in his body had reached a critical point. He was just one step away from breaking into the Grand Master level.
Ling Chen’s entire body was in a state of rapid True Qi operation. If it were an ordinary person, after so many Grand Heavenly Cycle circulations of True Qi, they would likely have broken through long ago.
It was only because of his particular cultivation technique that his breakthrough was exceptionally difficult.
「Ten days later.」
"Break!"
Ling Chen suddenly opened his eyes and let out a sharp cry. There was one point missing in his body’s True Qi route map; that point was in the center. As long as he could connect that point, the complete True Qi route map would be revealed. Unfortunately, this point wasn’t so easy to connect. For ordinary warriors who had already opened all their meridians, connecting such a point by simply circulating True Qi to it would be quite easy. However, every cultivation technique possessed a unique True Qi route map. To break through to a new realm, one had to circulate True Qi precisely according to this specific map; otherwise, it would have no effect whatsoever.
Within these ten days, Ling Chen had performed countless deductions and finally found an optimal breakthrough point. Using this point as a foundation, the subsequent True Qi would flow continuously, its force increasing layer by layer, which should allow him to connect the central point.
His deductions were flawless; Ling Chen succeeded.
The perfect Lingtian True Qi route map was completely constructed. The speed of True Qi circulation instantly increased by more than thirty percent, resonating with the True Qi spiral in his Dantian, one above and one below, perfectly complementing each other.
The True Qi spiral contracted twice more, then burst outward with a blinding radiance that filled the entire room, causing the very air to ripple as if it were water.
CHH! CHH! CHH!
The True Qi Virtual Pill in the center of the Dantian absorbed the True Qi within the Dantian at an astonishing rate. It then transformed from its original fist size to the size of a pigeon’s egg. Golden and lustrous, it was clearly no longer the False Pill it had been before; it had completely condensed into a Solid Pill.
Compared to the True Qi Virtual Pill, the Solid Pill was far more stable, like a part of the body itself, as substantial as flesh and bone. It was no longer merely an amorphous cluster of condensed True Qi that seemed ethereal and could dissipate at any moment.
"Grand Master Realm!"
Ling Chen’s voice was tinged with pleasant surprise.
He had finally reached this stage.
A Grand Master, in the Jianghu, was a powerhouse capable of founding a sect, commanding prestige in a region, and creating original martial arts with lasting legacies. Reaching the Grand Master Realm had long been Ling Chen’s objective, one he continuously strove towards. Now, he had finally achieved it.
I’m one step closer to the Sky Apex Realm.
Ling Chen’s ultimate goal was to reach the Sky Apex Realm. Only upon reaching the Sky Apex Realm would he, perhaps, be qualified to investigate the matter of his father.
Before that, I should find an opportunity to meet with Xia Yunxin again.
Ling Chen recalled what Xia Yunxin had said to him at the Martial World Conference. She seemed to know a thing or two about the Divine Intent Sect incident. To understand the truth of the matter, he would probably have to start with this woman.