Chapter 210 (1)

"After today, this city will become history." Earth Sword Immortal’s tone was calm, as if he was casually chatting.

He remained calm; he had known the truth of the matter early on, but didn’t disclose it to others. He had been silently observing in the isolated city for thirty years.

In a sense, he truly was a person with an unwavering heart.

He didn’t take Taoist Qingzhuo’s threats to heart, nor did he care about being imprisoned in this cage. He only spent his days carving stone statues.

Over the course of thirty years, the remaining soldiers of Great Yan gradually dwindled, leaving only half the city’s women and children. Even their sacrifices couldn’t truly move Earth Sword Immortal; he simply observed from the sidelines.

However, Lu Yanbei still held hope for him.

"So, how do you plan to proceed? Since you’re well aware that Taoist Qingzhuo is coming, you surely won’t just wait around, will you?" Lu Yanbei asked.

"Why, Brother Five, do you still hold on to the hope that things will turn out in my favor?" Earth Sword Immortal said helplessly.

"Thirty years ago, I was no match for Taoist Qingzhuo, otherwise I wouldn’t have been imprisoned in this cage."

"As for now, I have wasted thirty years, and even the strength of killing more than two hundred bean generals has weakened. How can I oppose Taoist Qingzhuo?"

Captain Hai and the others felt their hearts grow cold when they heard it.

They had only heard of the strength of Earth Sword Immortal before, but this was the first time they had witnessed him in action.

It can only be said that there are no weak warriors under a famous name. Even after thirty years of decline in his power and vitality, the old Earth Sword Immortal still had an invincible presence.

Thirty years ago, Earth Sword Immortal was fifty-seven years old. Although he had entered his middle-aged years, as the leading martial artist practicing Pure Yang Wuji Skill, he was not weaker when he was in his prime.

Martial arts can be categorized into internal and external skills. Although Pure Yang Wuji Skill is not a specialized internal martial art like "Long Life Fist Sutra," it is still one of the top ancient martial arts. With Earth Sword Immortal’s martial arts attainment, it is not surprising that he maintains his strength in his fifties and sixties.

Even at his peak, Earth Sword Immortal was defeated by Taoist Qingzhuo, let alone now.

Captain Hai and the others personally witnessed the strength of the old Earth Sword Immortal, so they knew how incredibly powerful he was.

However, at this moment, Qiao Mu interrupted.

"If your strength is weakened, your internal strength is lacking, how about I help you?" Qiao Mu said seriously.

"I heard that in the Strength List of the Tide Listening Building, there is a special martial arts family called the Xue family."

"The Xue family never lives past the age of fifty, so before reaching their limit, they pass down their lifelong cultivation skills to the next generation. Therefore, the next family leader possesses extremely deep internal strength."

"I also practice Pure Yang Wuji Skill, which has the same source of power as you. If I pass on my strength to you, do you have confidence?"

Captain Hai and the others showed surprise, but they were not completely unexpected.

Even though the Qiao’s family was meeting for the first time, Qiao Shuangsen and Qiao Ruosen had already left a deep impression on the people of this city.

Qiao Zhuosen also showed this selfless attitude, which actually aligned with their understanding of the Qiao’s family.

However, Storyteller Clairvoyance shook his head.

"Elder Lao, passing on strength is not that simple."

If someone keeps "putting others before themselves" in their heart, they will be able to achieve the highest level of martial arts, inherited from a hundred thousand warriors, in this lonely city.

The Jiu Province outside is the same.

If martial arts can be easily passed on to the next generation, then there would be countless Xue families in the martial world.

Anyway, before the old man’s life comes to an end, they can pass on their martial arts to the next generation.

"There is only one Xue family in the martial world," Clairvoyance said.

"This is actually because the Xue family is very special, with a unique physique and a special method of transferring martial arts, which is difficult for others to replicate."

"Besides the Xue family, there is actually a Martial Saint who excels in this."

"The Xue family actively transfers their martial arts to the younger generation, while the Martial Saint uses the Martial Saint Spiritual Technique to absorb the internal strength of others and absorb the ‘spirit’ of a Spirit Refining martial artist. This is forcefully taking the achievements of others to enhance their own martial arts."

Generally speaking, whether it is absorbing the martial arts of others or actively transferring martial arts, there are significant limitations.

The process of transmitting power is not without loss, and even if successful, it may not necessarily be a good thing.

Eating ten kilograms of fatty pork will not make you gain ten kilograms of weight.

However, if your power becomes mixed and chaotic, it will actually hinder your progress in martial arts, like cutting off your own future.

"Absorbing internal strength is just a small way," Earth Sword Immortal also said.

"Why not be more direct and just eat people?" he casually remarked.

"The essence of the Martial Saint Spiritual Technique lies in spiritual refining, rather than simply absorbing internal strength. The Martial Saint achieves the pinnacle of the Spiritual Refining Method through this method. If he is still alive after thirty years, his attainment in spiritual refining is unrivaled," he said.

"Moreover, Third Brother, although your power is profound, your level is slightly lower," Earth Sword Immortal bluntly stated.

"You have already accumulated enough quantity, but for now, you are still at the 3rd rank."

"Although both of us practice the Pure Yang Wuji Skill, we can’t generalize… Third Brother, what do you think is the rank of my martial artist level?"

After thinking for a long time, Qiao Mu, who was the best martial artist, killed someone in the Imperial Capital.

Although there is a difference in strength among the best ranked martial artists, the difference between Qin Shiqing and Earth Sword Immortal is huge.

"Does that mean Qiao Mu is ranked below the best?" Qiao Mu guessed.

Earth Sword Immortal immediately laughed and looked at Qiao Mu strangely.

"Actually, it can be called… a superb rank."

"Among all the martial artists in the world, they are divided into nine different ranks. But who determines these ranks?"

"By following the ranking system of the ninth rank officials, martial artists are divided into three, six, and nine ranks. Each first-ranked martial artist is awarded an official position and can join the army to receive the corresponding salary…"

"It’s the imperial court that divides the ranks of martial artists," Earth Sword Immortal explained with a smile.

"So, within the Great Yan Imperial Court, is a first-ranked official considered the most top-ranking and influential person?"

"That’s not true."



"Being a 1st rank official is indeed a prominent position in the government, but there are also people in Great Yan who have even more power and influence than 1st rank officials."

"For example, the queen, the former emperor, and the prince are important members of the royal family and naturally hold high positions."

"For example, the feudal lords who command powerful armies."

"And even the emperor of Great Yan himself."

The position of a 1st ranked martial artist in the martial arts world is similar to that of a high-ranking official in the court.

"Although 1st rank is high, it is still within the control of the Great Yan Imperial Court. A 1st ranked martial artist is also mortal and cannot face thousands of people alone. They are not opponents of the imperial army," said Earth Sword Immortal.

"On the other hand, the so-called superb rank surpasses the hierarchical system set by the court and refers to martial artists who are beyond the control of the Great Yan Imperial Court."

"Forty years ago, there were only ten superb rank martial artists in the world, which were the top ten on the Tide Listening Building Hero List in the past."

Storyteller Clairvoyance nodded in agreement.

Forty years ago, Martial Saint was the eleventh person below the superb rank, and could be considered the strongest below the superb rank.

"The reason it’s called superb rank instead of something like zero rank or negative first rank is because it is already the forefront of martial arts today, with no further paths ahead," Clairvoyance glanced at Earth Sword Immortal and added.

"Occasionally, there are a few geniuses who, even if they can surpass the first rank, have not found a complete martial arts path for future generations to follow, so there are only a few scattered superb rank individuals."

The highest level of the martial artist’s path is the first rank.

Just like in Qiao Mu’s previous life, the national team was already the best group of people in a certain sport, and the most outstanding could win championships.

But champions come every year, it is the athletes who can break world records and push the limits of human capabilities that represent the ceiling of the sport.

The national team can select and train from a large number of athletes, but athletes who can break world records are rare and hard to find.

Earth Sword Immortal has long been at the superb rank, so his internal strength cannot be compared to Qiao Mu’s.

"In the current martial arts world, the one with the most hope to create a path for future generations to follow is the Martial Saint, who pioneered the modern method. Even though he has passed away, there is still a Wuji Association behind him," said Clairvoyance.

Although the Martial Saint claimed to be a saint, he indeed possessed extraordinary insight into people and the ability to teach others.

During the Martial Saint’s youth, he met Hai Wuya and recognized his exceptional talents. He guided Hai Wuya to practice martial arts at the Shaolin Temple, which ultimately led him to become the Minister of Rites through a shortcut in Mount Zhongnan.

The Martial Saint had three thousand disciples and seventy-two wise men, all of whom were extraordinary individuals.

As the story progresses, the group arrives at the entrance of the Earth Sword Immortal’s residence, a Taoist temple.

Before entering, they heard a meowing sound. A small cat with its belly almost touching the ground appeared on the street, standing still in front of Qiao Mu.

Ever since Qiao Mu caught the cat in the courtyard and played with it, it no longer hid in his shadow. Instead, it roamed around the city like an ordinary stray cat, and Qiao Mu rarely saw it.

This time seemed no different. After Qiao Mu miraculously came back to life twice, the cat sensed the smell of death and approached.

However, when the little cat darted over and saw Qiao Mu and Qiao Xiaoming among the crowd, its pupils contracted, revealing a wise expression. It stood there, dumbfounded.

The cat sniffed the invisible and intangible smell of death and began to suspect that the cat had given birth, as it looked back and forth at the two similar-looking families of Qiao.

What is death, what is life, and why are there two?

When the cat stood motionless, Qiao Mu took the opportunity to grab it by the back of its neck and held it in his hand.

On the other hand, Earth Sword Immortal next to them glanced at the mysterious cat, intentionally or unintentionally.

Nothing in the city could escape his sight, and naturally he knew about the demonic cat that could hide in Qiao Mu’s shadow.

"But let’s get back to the point," said Earth Sword Immortal calmly:

"Taoist Qingzhuo will arrive in this city today, so we should also leave."

"Staying here would be a dead end."

Captain Hai and the others were momentarily surprised.

"Do you have a way to break the Immortal Gate formation?" Captain Hai asked urgently.

"There is naturally no way to crack the formation, otherwise why would I stay here?" Earth Sword Immortal casually replied.

In reality, Qiao Mu, who was highly expected by the people in the city, still had no way to leave this isolated city.

Before entering the city, Qiao Mu left a mark of the Long Life Lock in a town outside Anxi Pass, so that if he died, he could choose to revive outside.

However, Qiao Mu naturally didn’t have a way to bring out the military and civilians of the isolated city and break the Immortal Gate formation.

He just followed the agreement with Captain Hai and concocted a beautiful lie for the people in the city, since the city was already at a critical juncture of life and death.

He only had a vague idea in his heart, which was to die multiple times and perhaps one day break through the formation through sheer force.

And Earth Sword Immortal also had his own thoughts.

"Yannan, what is your confidence in facing Taoist Qingzhuo?" Lu Yanbei asked with a furrowed brow.

"Twenty percent."

"Only twenty percent?"

"Currently, we still have a twenty percent chance. If we continue to delay, we will lose even that twenty percent certainty," Earth Sword Immortal said lightly. seaʀᴄh thё novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

From the moment he stepped forward to help his older brother Lu Yanbei, he had anticipated a rematch with Taoist Qingzhuo.

In this world, there is no such thing as a foolproof plan like Zhuge Liang. The so-called percentage of certainty is just a subjective idea. The situation in battle changes in an instant, and no one can see clearly.

"Come with me to the backyard."



The backyard?

Lu Yanbei and Captain Hai exchanged glances.

Ever since Earth Sword Immortal took control of this Taoist temple, the backyard has been off-limits to everyone. No one knows what he is hiding there.

Before, Qiao Mu guessed that there might be stone sculptures inside without clothes. Now, thinking about it, it seems really unreliable… Could it be that Earth Sword Immortal thinks Taoist Qingzhuo is coming and invited Qiao Mu and them to join a party with stone people in the backyard?

Earth Sword Immortal lifted his feet and stepped into this dilapidated old Taoist temple.