Translator: 549690339 I
At this moment, Bai Yun Kong’s expression became slightly more solemn.
“Tongxuan.”
Xu Yan put down his tea cup and said, “The mystery of heaven and earth.”
“Tongxuan?”
Bai Yun Kong murmured to himself a few times.
“Young Friend, what is your view on Grandmaster Martial Arts?”
Bai Yun Kong asked.
Xu Yan was stumped at this point.
Should he straightforwardly say that it was false martial arts?
The old man in front of him was very powerful. If he were to be agitated and went mad, it would become tricky.
Moreover, his master didn’t say it was false martial arts either.
After some pondering, he said, “I don’t have any particular views. Different people practice differently. There’s no true or false in Martial Arts.”
Bai Yun Kong gave a wry smile. Although Xu Yan stated that there’s no true or false in Martial Arts, Grandmaster Martial Arts seemed like false martial arts in his eyes.
“There is no true or false in Martial Arts.”
Bai Yun Kong laughed and said, “The establishment of the Seven-star Study Palace is to study Martial Arts. Many of the martial arts cultivation techniques circulated in the Inner Domain today originate from there.
“The purpose of the Seven-star Study Palace is to study Martial Arts, to explore the essence of Martial Arts. Regardless of the cultivation technique, they will study it without any prejudice.
“Even killing techniques, though they injure the heavens and create karma, will not be passed on. However, we will not abandon the study of them. Perhaps there is something useful to be gleaned, to establish a new cultivation technique?
“Many secret martial arts techniques have made great contributions to our Seven-star Study Palace. Some secrets come with an extremely high price, they are researched from killing techniques and used for self-preservation in times of crisis, or even to perish together with the enemy.”
Xu Yan understood Bai Yun Kong’s meaning. The aim of Seven-star Study Palace was to explore the essence of Martial Arts. They would not hold hostility due to different kinds of Martial Arts.
Bai Yun Kong continued, “Despite our scholars’ studies and creation of techniques and secret techniques, we haven’t essentially changed.
“We are still within the existing framework of Martial Arts. There were scholars who tried to jump out of this frame, but all failed.”
Xu Yan’s appearance captured the attention of many scholars at the Seven-star Study Palace. It was unlike the Inner Realm Martial Arts; it was something apart from the existing Martial Arts.
All Martial Arts scholars were practically going mad.
In their eyes, nothing was more attractive than discovering a new domain.
“So, what do you mean by that?”
Xu Yan blinked and asked.
“Would you be willing to become a senior scholar of our Seven-star Study Palace? Don’t worry, there will be no other constraints, except that we need to exchange ideas on your Martial Arts.”
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Yun Kong added, “Of course, you might think that the Seven-star Study Palace wants to steal your Martial Arts technique. It is understandable if you refuse.”
Xu Yan laughed freely and said, “Why not? I have one condition, though.” Spreading Martial Arts?
Xu Yan had no aversion to it. His master had the heart to propagate teaching from the start.
Having spread it to the Borderland, why couldn’t he spread it to the Inner Domain?
“Oh, what’s your condition? Please go ahead.”
Bai Yun Kong was a bit surprised.
Then he asked again, “Did your master give permission for you to spread the Martial Arts? To avoid breaking the rules because of my request.”
“What kind of person is my master? Spreading teachings all over the world, why not?”
Xu Yan laughed.
Bai Yun Kong was shocked in his heart, and asked solemnly, “Could I have the honor to meet your master and seek advice in person?”
“I need to ask my master about that.”
Xu Yan shook his head and responded.
“Old Turtle Bai, you are not being fair. Friend Xu arrived, and you didn’t say a word. Are you hiding it because you are afraid I will find out?”
Suddenly, an unkempt, disheveled old man with two dark circles under his eyes stormed in.
Xu Yan knew at a glance that he was another Martial Arts scholar.
And he seemed to be no weaker than Bai Yun Kong’s.
Xu Yan secretly smiled. His journey to the Seven-star Study Palace was smoother than expected. Luring a few Martial Arts scholars back was no problem at all.
As for the cooperation with the Seven-star Study Palace, he could consider it. He had nothing to lose from bearing the title of Senior Scholar of martial arts.
When the second batch of Yuan Qi pills were on sale, the powerful forces acted immediately, using their connections to contact Tianbao Pavilion for priority to purchase.
And those martial artist grandmasters without a strong backing could only watch helplessly as the Qi-gathering Pills were sold out once again.
In response, they redoubled their efforts to ascertain the location of the Changqing Pavilion.
Major factions, of course, continued to use their intelligence networks to gather information on the Changqing Pavilion.
Tieshan County in Lanping Province belongs to the rule of Greater Yue Country. The county magistrate is a subject of the Greater Yue and as the Changqing Pavilion is located within Tieshan County, the County Magistrate seized this opportunity to make a name for himself.
He personally set off for the capital of Greater Yue.
The emergence of the Qi-gathering Pills stirred up undercurrents in the Inner Realm Martial Arts world. Various factions were all anticipating something.
In the capital of Greater Yue, the current emperor was in his study, looking at a Qi-gathering Pill in his hand.
“Is there any news from Changqing Pavilion?”
A eunuch emerged from the shadows, “Your Majesty, no messages have been received yet.”
Just then, another eunuch entered the imperial study to report that Tieshan County had sent an important piece of intelligence through the Tianyi Guard.
The Tianyi Guard is the internal security force of the Imperial House of Greater Yue, directly under the control of the Emperor.
The Emperor of Greater Yue glanced at the intelligence report and his eyes instantly lit up. Changqing Pavilion was in Tieshan County!
And it didn’t seem to be particularly strong!
“We must control it!”
The Emperor of Greater Yue immediately issued an order: “Order the Tianyi Guard to ensure that Changqing Pavilion is under our control. As long as it is within the territory of my Greater Yue, it must obey my command. Be swift!”
Following the Emperor’s order, a strong member of the Tianyi Guard set off quietly that day, carrying the imperial edict and leaving the capital, avoiding the prying eyes of other factions.
In a place within the Inner Realm, within a treacherous peak, a tall building was erected. Inside the gloomy cave, figures in black robes could be seen standing in the corridors and shadows.
On the top floor of the building, within a grand hall, seven figures clad in black robes stood. At the front of the hall, on a chair, sat an old man leaning on a walking stick.
He looked frail, with half-closed eyes and white hair, showing signs of old age.
However, the seven below him, even though they had reached the peak of grandmastery, were tense, fearing that one wrong word could invite punishment.
Ever since they joined Yinlou Pavilion, the old man had always been like this. He seemed ageless, yet he never took his rest.
The host of Yinlou Pavilion is an enigmatic character, whose strength is also a mystery.
Even peak grandmasters tremble before him.
“Three peak grandmasters died and there are no leads?”
The host of Yinlou Pavilion spoke with no emotion.
Unable to discern his mood, the seven peak grandmasters below dared not breathe and bowed their heads.
“No clues left from the Stone Ghost Grass’ spot, and no traces of the humans that were present?”
The host of Yinlou Pavilion continued.
One of the robed figures replied in a low voice: “Based on some signs, it seems that Xu Yan could be associated with the Stone Ghost Grass.”
“Where is he now?”
The host of Yinlou Pavilion asked in an indifferent tone. Although his mood was undetectable, all seven knew that he was preparing to take matters into his own hands.
“He went to the Seven-Star Study Palace.”
Someone replied.
“He’s not important, Su Lingxiu is the vital element here. We must find her at all costs, regardless of the means or channels used. Do you understand?”
Upon hearing that Xu Yan was in the Seven-Star Study Palace, the host of Yinlou Pavilion discarded the idea of seeking him out.
The prime task was to find Su Lingxiu.
“Yes, Master!”
The seven hastily replied.
One of them then began, “Master, Tianbao Pavilion is selling a type of medication called Qi-gathering Pill, which can significantly boost the cultivation speed of grandmaster martial artists. Could this be related to Su Lingxiu?
“She has been learning medical techniques and pharmacy since childhood, and she was taught by the Medicine King. Also, she is…”
The host of Yinlou Pavilion looked at the person who had spoken: “Find the source of the Qi-gathering Pill, by any means necessary.”
“Yes, Master!”
The host of Yinlou Pavilion waved his hand: “Go.”
The seven bowed and retreated, leaving the tall building to investigate the news from all sides.
The Yinlou Pavilion’s host, who was sitting alone in the tall building, opened his squinted eyes. His cloudy eyes were now flashing with a terrifying shine.
“No one can stop me. I have been waiting for too long. She is my only chance. How can I attain the legendary Heavenly Man realm without entering the Gate of Lingyu!
“Be it Xu Yan or anyone else, anyone who dares to obstruct me will surely die!”
A cold voice filled with murderous intent emanated from the host of Yinlou Pavilion..