Sunshine bathed the plaza.

The jade-like ground reflected a soft white glow.

Jin Yuyan walked gracefully to the center of the plaza and gently stomped her foot.

The ground immediately began to tremble slowly, splitting into four gigantic cracks.

Amidst the rumbling tremors, four enormous black chains rose from the fissures in the plaza.

Each chain was as thick as a person’s waist, clinking and clashing as they moved, heavy and chaotic.

“Beyond Super Grade is the path where people strengthen themselves using medicine. So it’s simply named External Medicine.”

Jin Yuyan said lightly.

“Afterwards, inner methods detach from medicine, using various unusual techniques to strengthen oneself while removing drug toxicity, advancing to a higher level.”

“Then comes the Three Emptiness, which includes Emptiness of Evil Substance, Emptiness of Evil Qi, and Emptiness of Evil Thoughts, representing further cleansing of internal toxins, evil qi, and internal malevolent thoughts.”

Zhang Rongfang frowned, recalling the Three Emptiness experts he had encountered.

Among them, many did not seem to have cleared evil thoughts as Jin Yuyan described.

“May I ask, Martial Uncle Grandmaster….”

But as soon as he started speaking, she interrupted him.

“I know what you want to ask.” Jin Yuyan smiled slightly, “Not everyone in the Three Emptiness needs to achieve the full realm. Normally, reaching Emptiness of Evil Qi is quite remarkable. Once that’s achieved, one can proceed further.”

She continued to explain.

“Emptiness of Evil Substance is all substances within the body considered evil.”

“Emptiness of Evil Qi is the orderly removal of all considered evil qi. Starting here, it requires following the flow of qi, aligning with the natural laws of heaven and earth, and one’s own innate rules, to strengthen one’s own qi and eliminate evil qi.

Don’t believe in sayings like ‘follow the human way to become an immortal’. If you don’t follow natural laws or physiological rules, you couldn’t achieve martial arts from the start. The natural rule dictates that blood must flow within the veins. If you don’t comply and force it elsewhere, it’s courting death.”

Jin Yuyan explained with extreme clarity.

Zhang Rongfang nodded, indicating understanding.

“So, Martial Uncle Grandmaster, what about Grandmasters? How is the strength among Grandmasters determined?”

“By fighting.” Jin Yuyan laughed. “Grandmasters also compare by sparring, but each Grandmaster has absolute confidence. Once thoroughly and completely defeated, a Grandmaster will gradually and completely revert to the Three Emptiness.”

She sighed lightly.

“Ultimately, the essence of it all is mental will. Limit, limit, and limit… Emotions trigger physical changes, pushing it to the peak, and then imprint the peak so it becomes a norm.”

“When you’re angry, your strength increases. When you’re depressed, your reaction slows. When in pain, you become weak all over. Human emotions are an important component of regulating our bodies.”

Jin Yuyan simplified it.

“And a Grandmaster uses emotional belief to push themselves to the peak, then permanently fixes this peak. And this process is simply divided into three stages by us.”

“Waning Moon, Crescent Moon, and Full Moon.”

“Waning Moon, which means they can enter the peak state at any moment when needed, but cannot maintain it normally. The duration is short.”

“Crescent Moon, which means they can maintain the peak state for half a day.”

“Full Moon, where they are always at the zenith. A Grandmaster in Full Moon can greatly reduce the effects of qi and blood exhaustion.”

Jin Yuyan said this while softly walking to the giant chains and gently touched the chain’s surface.

“This is our sect’s Xuan Ying Red Iron Chain, its hardness and toughness far surpass common steel. Now I will show you the specific differences among Grandmasters.”

She raised her right hand, her fair hand as smooth as warm jade, suddenly disappearing without a sound.

Bang.

The surface of the chain suddenly shook. Her hand appeared on the chain, lightly lifting, leaving a shallow but clear palm print.

“This is the inner method.”

She lifted her hand again and slapped beside the palm print.

This time, the palm print was several times deeper than before.

“This is Three Emptiness. The power is greatly concentrated and significantly enhanced.”

Third palm.

Puff.

This time, the entire chain vibrated violently.

The palm print was more than twice as deep as the previous ones.

“This is the Grandmaster peak state. The gap from before is equally vast. Waning Moon, Crescent Moon, Full Moon—all are to eternally fix the peak.

Moreover, there is also a gap in preemptive defense, which is influenced by the different martial arts directions each Grandmaster specializes in.

For example, a Grandmaster adept in eyesight and agility would be superior in preemptive defense during a Grandmaster duel, possibly gaining an advantage in anticipation.

A Grandmaster who has broken through in Hard Skill will have an advantage in the sphere of absolute defense.”

Jin Yuyan raised her hand again, her eyes gradually becoming sharp.

“Next, since your master asked you to come here to broaden your horizons, I’ll let you see directly what it means to be a Great Grandmaster!”

This time, she suddenly struck down with her palm.

Buzz!!

In an instant, the entire gigantic chain spanning a hundred meters shook violently.

Centered on Jin Yuyan’s palm, the chain deeply caved in, and large cracks appeared along the edges of the palm print.

This time, the depth of the palm print was several times deeper than before, nearly punching through a link of the huge chain.

The spreading cracks covered the entire link, making the previously hard link appear like porcelain that might shatter and fall to the ground any moment.

“This is a Great Grandmaster.” Jin Yuyan’s voice was calm.

“In fact, to put it bluntly, the Grandmaster’s trump card ultimate move is to gather all power in a short time, releasing all the body’s limits, unleashing the strongest state of all martial arts learned.”

“Different martial arts give rise to different ultimate moves.”

“A Grandmaster represents the infinite ultimate form!”

Zhang Rongfang’s pupils narrowed as he recalled his past confrontation with the former Sea Dragon King, Kongwu.

“Infinite… ultimate form!!”

At that time, the Sea Dragon King no longer appeared human and had completely transformed into another form.

“That’s right.” Jin Yuyan turned around; her face was now filled with golden blood vessel patterns, resembling a porcelain about to shatter.

In this bizarre state, her body seemed like a furnace, constantly emitting intense heat waves in all directions.

Even standing several meters away, Zhang Rongfang could clearly feel the scorching air currents continuously brushing against him.

Such heat… the air currents alone were nearly forty degrees… it’s unimaginable how hot Jin Yuyan’s body must be!

Thump.

Thump.

Like drumbeats, a heartbeat sound continuously emanated from Jin Yuyan’s body.

The massive blood flow caused her skin to turn red, becoming a strange pinkish hue.

But she remained indifferent at the moment.

“At the Grandmaster level, the ultimate form is a trump card that first harms oneself before harming the enemy. Overuse can lead to death.

But at the level of a Grandmaster, this is normal. Different martial arts produce different ultimate forms.

Most of these ultimate forms are named after the legendary names of various gods and Buddhas.

If you encounter them in the future, don’t be surprised. Many so-called deities, aside from a few worshipped idols, are actually forms shown during life-or-death fights of Grandmasters, which were witnessed and thus passed down.”

“Arhat, Bodhisattva, Celestial Venerable, True Person. These are far, far beyond your reach.” The anomalies on her body quickly dissipated and she returned to her previous state, with black hair, bright eyes, and snow-like skin.

“You only need to know that when you encounter a Grandmaster, you cannot escape. The best way is to form connections and find backing. Avoid threats. Remember, never make threats!”

She warned.

“Anyone who achieves the level of Grandmaster possesses a will of iron and is often very self-centered. The more you threaten, the easier it is to anger them. Just get on your knees and beg for mercy or form connections. Perhaps if they’re in a good mood, they might spare your life.”

“…” Zhang Rongfang was speechless.

“Of course, you don’t need to be afraid. In reality, the level is just a reference; there are instances of a Master of the Waning Moon defeating a Full Moon, though rare, they do exist.

A Grandmaster rarely intervenes. At this stage, unless they worship gods, they often enter a phase of qi and blood decline.

Those who worship gods usually hold high positions and are even less likely to act easily. It’s hard for you to encounter them either.”

Jin Yuyan’s words gave Zhang Rongfang a true understanding of the differences between each level.

“By the way, the ultimate form is the extreme state achieved by gathering all one’s skills, regardless of personal safety, to perform extreme enhancement. Different martial arts have different ultimate forms.

So as a Grandmaster, you cannot judge another’s ultimate form with certainty.

Therefore, when Grandmasters spar, they generally do not use ultimate forms unless it’s a life-or-death situation. Instead, they simply exchange blows, compare advantages, and waste time. As long as they don’t use ultimate forms, no Grandmaster believes they’ll lose. Thus, their belief remains intact, preventing any regression.

This is why you often see Grandmasters fighting for a long time without a decisive outcome and agreeing to fight again later.”

Jin Yuyan seemed to have explained everything she could.

It was evident that her attitude this time was completely different from before.

Zhang Rongfang pondered and digested the information he had just received.

Then, he asked another question.

“So, Master Shishu, the gods and Buddhas revered, what exactly are they?”

Since so many secrets had already been revealed, he thought asking a bit more wouldn’t hurt.

“The gods and Buddhas are everywhere. They are high above, overlooking everything. The idols are merely their symbols.” Jin Yuyan replied calmly.

“It’s too early for you to think about these things now. But let me warn you, do not try to explore them. The more you probe, the closer they become. This is not good for you.”

Zhang Rongfang remained silent.

Then nodded.

“Actually, I originally did not intend to accept you as a Daoist of the Jade Void Palace.” Jin Yuyan continued.

“But seeing your sincerity, and since you were personally chosen by Xiaoyue, I will give you another chance today.”

She turned to face Zhang Rongfang directly.

She extended her hand and beckoned to him.

“Come, attack me. Let me see your limit.”

A twenty-year-old, late-stage Nascent Soul, super-grade Martial Artist.

Such potential….

Even Jin Yuyan, who had lived for over a century, had never seen it.

Not even the former Saint Emperor was this extraordinary.

But to become a Daoist of the Jade Void Palace, the core is martial skills, not cultivation of literature.

Thus, even if Zhang Ying’s cultivation of literature talent is strong, if he cannot satisfy her, he cannot become a Daoist.

On the other side.

Zhang Rongfang watched Jin Yuyan, knowing there was no way to avoid this.

In front of such a top-tier expert, once a move is made, his martial arts level and physical attributes cannot be hidden.

They can see clearly how much effort is used, whether it’s full power.

So once he makes a move, exposure is inevitable.

“Master Shishu, can we avoid fighting?”

“No.” Jin Yuyan replied indifferently. “Your future is no longer just about yourself. As a Daoist, you will bear more responsibility.”

“I….”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep