Chapter 88: Chapter 87: Emperor Wu

Chen Tang returned to the inn, and after such a commotion at night, he couldn’t fall asleep.

This world seemed to be quite different from what he had initially imagined.

Even flying swords had appeared.

The way Xu Tong manipulated the flying sword was obviously a bit clumsy and not yet proficient.

If he mastered the flying sword technique to great success, it would be quite challenging for Chen Tang to handle.

Unless he could quickly locate Xu Tong and subdue him!

Although Xu Tong practiced the flying sword technique, he was personally quite weak.

Chen Tang thought about it and understood.

Everyone wants to practice martial arts and advance their cultivation, but training not only costs a lot but also requires enduring hardships.

In over three months, Chen Tang could cultivate to this level, thanks to the nourishment of Tiger Milk Ginseng and the teachings of the Mountain Guest, and he himself never slacked, persisting in his arduous practice!

Such hardship is unbearable for the average person.

If one could cultivate skills like the flying sword, with a flick of a sword formula, the flying sword could be as easily controlled as an arm, taking a person’s head as if taking something from a bag, why endure the hardship of martial training?

In his previous life, Chen Tang once suspected whether the rise of firearms led to the decline of ancient martial arts.

After all, no matter how strong martial arts were, they couldn’t withstand seven or eight guns.

The flying sword was even more formidable than guns from his previous life.

Could this world truly possess the methods described in books from his past life, such as controlling the wind and rain and setting the sky ablaze?

If there were even flying swords, might there be some longevity technique as well?

And even though he was clearly in the inn, how did Xu Tong, standing outside, control the flying sword to chase him?

Logically speaking, Xu Tong shouldn’t have been able to see him.

Chen Tang lay on the bed, countless questions swirling in his mind, growing more alert the more he pondered.

Before long, the chubby old man returned.

Chen Tang turned over and sat up, asking, “Solved?”

“Mm.”

The chubby old man nodded, speaking very easily, “If that so-called Observatory Master of Profound Celestial Temple is smart, he won’t trouble us.”

“What if he’s a fool?” Chen Tang asked.

The chubby old man said, “Then kill him and find a smarter one!”

He spoke quite boldly.

Just as Chen Tang was about to praise him, the chubby old man thought for a moment, then said, “If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll have to flee.”

Chen Tang: “…”

The chubby old man said, “After all, in this world, intelligent people are few, and fools are more numerous. It’s quite possible that the replacement would also be a fool.”

“If we keep replacing like this, a smart person might not necessarily come, but the elders and protectors of the Profound Celestial Sect will definitely come. I’m not afraid, but with you burdensome fellows, escaping is the best strategy.”

Alright, since the chubby old man said so, let’s wait and see; after all, he has our back.

Chen Tang asked, “What is the explanation for the Profound Sect’s techniques? Xu Tong, outside, couldn’t see me, so how did he control the flying sword to chase me?”

“The Profound Sect is another cultivation technique outside of martial arts.”

The chubby old man seemed to think of something, paused for a moment, then said, “Actually, even in martial arts, there is more than one cultivation technique. There are always extraordinary people in the world who can blaze a new trail and forge their own path.”

“As for the Profound Sect’s cultivation, it is different from martial arts, requiring extremely harsh qualifications, one in ten thousand.”

“Martial arts can be cultivated by anyone, but the final achievement is limited by talent and resources, resulting in varying degrees of success. But without qualifications, one cannot cultivate in the Profound Sect, unable to enter its doors.”

Chen Tang nodded.

He and Zhiwei were tested at the Profound Celestial Temple and found to have no aptitude.

To be precise, from the time they entered the Profound Celestial Temple to when they left, not a single person passed the test, showing how rare it was.

The chubby old man continued, “The Profound Sect is also divided into realms; it is said that the lowest level is called the Qi Condensation Realm, known as an Alchemist. Above the Qi Condensation is the Foundation Establishment, and Mystics at this realm are called Warlocks.”

Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment?

This was almost the same as the realms described in books from his past life, albeit with different names.

Chen Tang asked, “And what about after that?”

By the pattern, it should be Golden Core and Nascent Soul afterward.

“The later stages seem to be called Real Person.”

The chubby old man shook his head and said, “Actually, I haven’t interacted much with the Profound Sect. After the Profound Sect rose, and Emperor Qian founded the nation, I left the Divine Land. Later, I only occasionally came back a few times.”

“It is said that among the mystic skills, there is a major category, which is the cultivation of flying swords, and this is also the most important means for Mystics against enemies.”

“Every Mystic, upon entering the Profound Sect, must personally forge a flying sword. When casting the sword, they must bite their tongue to use their blood of pure yang to temper the sword, establishing an initial connection with the flying sword.”

“After that, you must practice the Profound Sect’s cultivation techniques with the flying sword every day, using breath control with the sword, and some even use various rare herbs to wash and nourish their swords. Over time, the flying sword gains spirituality, and the connection between the alchemist and the sword deepens.”

Chen Tang seemed thoughtful.

Martial arts cultivation begins with tempering the flesh, starting with Yijin and Bone Forging, constantly honing oneself, using various rare herbs to aid in cultivation.

In a sense, the body of a martial artist is like the flying sword of a mystic master.

The chubby old man said, “The longer you cultivate, the deeper the connection with the flying sword becomes, and the more harmonious the man and sword become. Controlling the flying sword becomes as natural as moving one’s hand.”

“This Xu Tong clearly hasn’t practiced in the Profound Sect for long, his flying sword is not yet fully refined, and if he were to face a top-notch alchemist, a mere flick and a flash of light would be enough to kill even ten of you.”

Chen Tang couldn’t help but ask, “Can it really take someone’s head from a thousand miles away?”

If such a method truly existed, his hard training in martial arts would feel in vain.

“A thousand miles? That’s an exaggeration.”

The chubby old man shook his head, “An alchemist’s control range for a flying sword is about ten zhang, and beyond this range, it becomes difficult to control, posing little threat. Otherwise, Xu Tong wouldn’t just stand outside the inn, he could have run further away.”

“It’s said that for Foundation Establishment sorcerers, the range of a flying sword is somewhat larger, but it doesn’t exceed a hundred zhang.”

Chen Tang roughly calculated.

The distance from his room to Xu Tong’s location was about thirty meters, just within the ten zhang range.

The chubby old man said, “As for your question, if someone can’t see you but can still pursue you with a sword, it’s because you’ve directly or indirectly contacted them, leaving behind an aura mark.”

“He perceives your leftover aura with the flying sword and can chase you even without seeing you.”

Chen Tang secretly clicked his tongue.

To master such a skill, the flying sword would be as keen as a dog’s nose.

Chen Tang pondered.

He hadn’t contacted Xu Tong, so the only possible aura left was from the stone he held during the test at the Profound Celestial Temple.

Chen Tang asked again, “Since it’s possible to control the flying sword, wouldn’t it be possible to use it for sword flight?”

“Yes, but there are few who reach that level, and they won’t fly too high. The higher the flight, the greater the energy consumption.”

The chubby old man said, “Alchemists can’t fly by controlling swords; they can cultivate only one flying sword. After reaching Foundation Establishment and becoming sorcerers, they have the mental capacity to cultivate two flying swords.”

“In theory, one of the two flying swords can be used for sword flying, but it’s too consuming. Unless desperate for escape, sorcerers won’t do it.”

Chen Tang asked, “In the Profound Sect, is there any Longevity Technique? For instance, reaching a certain Foundation Establishment Realm to extend lifespan?”

“Haven’t heard of it.”

The chubby old man shook his head, “The Profound Sect has been around for less than a hundred years. Whether longevity is achievable is unknown.”

Chen Tang continued to ask several questions, seemingly out of scope, leaving the chubby old man stammering and somewhat unable to answer.

Seeing Chen Tang’s interest in mystic skills, the chubby old man said, “Knowing more won’t help you cultivate them. Moreover, martial arts aren’t necessarily weaker than mystic skills.”

“Most of the time, mystic masters absolutely suppress martial artists, at least at the same realm, where one mystic master can confront ten or even a hundred martial artists. But there are always exceptions.”

“As far as I know, in the previous dynasty, there was a martial artist who rarely lost at the same level, whom even a mystic master would avoid.”

“Oh?”

Chen Tang grew interested and asked, “What did he cultivate, is he still alive, what’s his nickname?”

The chubby old man said, “He came from a noble background, but was born with a deficient Dantian, limiting his martial achievements, leading to negligible regard in his clan. Unexpectedly, he tread a different path, reaching the peak, unmatched in the world!”

“Is this the outstanding person you mentioned before?” Chen Tang asked.

The chubby old man nodded, “I’ve mentioned before, he was the Former Emperor Wu who ended the Northern Divine Continent’s fragmentation and unified the tribes.”

“Sadly, he misjudged the world’s situation, insisted on a southern campaign, lost at Xiajiang, was betrayed, leading to a ruinous end.”

Chen Tang couldn’t help but ask, “He reached the pinnacle, undefeated in the world, was there someone in Nanxia who could stop him?”

“There was one.”

The chubby old man nodded, “But he wasn’t alone. During the Battle of Xiajiang, at least one top expert confronted him, and an assassin even struck behind the scenes.”

“After the Battle of Xiajiang, Emperor Wu was injured, triggering a series of chain reactions. The Extreme North Cold Domain moved south, targeting Pingzhou, while Xiling countries invaded Nanxia, and the world’s strongest successively clashed!”

“After that, chaos ensued, and the Profound Sect rose with the tide.”

Chen Tang asked, “Old man, where were you at the time, and how did you compare to them?”

The chubby old man, who liked boasting in front of Chen Tang, chuckled and shook his head, “I couldn’t even rank then, barely making a name in the Jianghu.”

“After Emperor Wu’s death, tasked by someone, I entered the capital alone. At that time, chaos reigned, with numerous factions converging, all contending for the supreme throne.”

“I sneaked into the Imperial Palace under the eyes of many experts, rescuing someone, earning the nickname ’World’s Greatest Thief’.”

Back in Changze County, the chubby old man had pridefully recounted once, saying he had stolen someone from the Imperial Palace twice.

That must be one of those times.

Recalling these past events, the chubby old man, surprisingly free of his usual jest, appeared nostalgic.

He gazed at the morning light from the window, as countless figures and scenes flashed before his eyes, softly murmuring, “But these were things from decades ago.”

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