Chapter 279: The First Snow

Chapter 279: The First Snow

In fact, reaching the eighth layer of the Profound Gate was not his greatest gain this time.

He received his greatest gain from how Yue Hongling’s spirit resonated with his during dual cultivation. He, who had always lacked a cultivation technique for the Profound Mysteries, was able to feel the power of the first layer of the Profound Mysteries. This was actually the main focus of his meditation.

For a time traveler and transmigrator who had read many novels and watched countless anime, the concept was fairly easy to grasp.

The so-called layers of the Profound Gate were akin to the ancient concept of opening the Conception Vessel and the Governing Vessel[1], just framed differently. Actually, it was a more simplified and straightforward process.

Zhao Changhe’s cultivation journey felt very intuitive. He started with the Huiyin acupoint for the first layer, then progressed upward, breaking through the dantian, then Danzhong, Yutang[2]... with the acupoint at the top of the head to be unlocked for the ninth layer of the Profound Gate. Each layer represented a step toward heaven.

When all nine layers of the Profound Gate were achieved, a complete cycle would be formed within one’s body as the two meridians would be connected. The Yongquan point to the earth and the Tianling point to heaven.[3] Whether through internal or external cultivation, it all led to this.

However, for most people, this was their endpoint. The ninth layer of the Profound Gate was the peak for most martial artists.

There were countless martial artists in the world. The upper echelons of major sects and family heads of various clans generally reached the ninth layer of the profound Gate, and they were numerous. Yet they were all stuck at this level, as if blocked by an insurmountable barrier, only able to distinguish themselves by their skills and techniques. And among them, a few exceptional individuals were placed at the bottom of the Ranking of Man to make up the numbers.

Martial artists referred to this barrier as the bridge between heaven and earth. It was only by unlocking the first of the Profound Mysteries that one could cross this bridge and achieve unity between heaven and man.

At that time, the nature of one’s true qi would undergo a qualitative change, typically referred to as a transformation from acquired true qi to innate true qi. This allowed for self-sustaining internal circulation, perpetual and endless. This was why back when they had fought with Hu Lie, he mentioned that while Yue Hongling might suffocate from the lack of air in the sandstorm, he would not.

However, this transformation in the nature of one’s true qi did not immediately result in a significant leap in strength. The intensity of Hu Lie’s true qi was only slightly greater than Yue Hongling’s, and it had not been overwhelming as they fought. Nevertheless, at this stage, the ceiling was permanently raised, and one’s future development became limitless, only requiring accumulation over time.

While proper use of innate true qi was not something that could be immediately learned, other things were more readily improved.

During the process of breaking through one Profound Gate after another, the five senses were constantly enhanced. Almost all internal cultivation routes involved the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue, thus opening the eye and ear apertures, allowing one to gain abilities like long-distance vision, night vision, and keen hearing. These were among the greatest benefits of cultivation to martial artists.

Yet, such abilities were still within the realm of mortals. The unlocking of the Profound Mysteries was where one began to transcend this.

Long ago, when Zhao Changhe browsed through the texts of the Blood God Cult, he saw passages talking about this phenomenon.

Those who have reached the Profound Mysteries have divine powers.

When ordinary people break through the Profound Gates, they open the aperture of their eyes and can see further and clearer, down to the smallest detail. But only with the divine powers of the Profound Mysteries can one see what is happening behind them and see ten thousand li far; they can see the sadness and joy of the mortal world; they can pry into the workings of the heavenly dao. None of the happenings of the world escape their sight. This is called the heavenly eye.

There were many schools of thought, yet they all agreed on this.

When the Profound Mysteries were unlocked, the spiritual consciousness began to come into play, and one would no longer need to rely solely on their eyes to see. At this stage, even with closed eyes, one could “see” the surroundings. Whether they could truly see tens of thousands of li away was debatable, but they could at least see behind them.

And indeed, just as he had long suspected, this feature that Zhao Changhe’s transmigration granted him for “free” was one that generally only belonged to those who have unlocked the Profound Mysteries. Fôll0w current novÊls o/n n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(c/o/m)

Moreover, his Back Eye was even more advanced than the normal capabilities of those at the first layer of the Profound Mysteries. Others’ “seeing” was still really just a subtle but heightened perception of details and movements; they could not literally see behind them. However, this was not the case for him; he could see the actual image behind him. His Back Eye likely surpassed the abilities of those who had unlocked the first Profound Mystery.

With Yue Hongling’s guidance through dual cultivation, Zhao Changhe began his first true evolution and refinement of the Back Eye—elevating the perspective.

Now, he could not only observe what was behind him, but rather, everything around. The perspective had changed, and he could now look down from above. He could now see his direct surroundings in all directions even with his eyes closed.

Like the moon reflected in water.

This was also the final state that Tang Wanzhuang’s teachings pointed toward... a state only available to those on the Ranking of Earth, those who were at the second layer of the Profound Mysteries.

This state had a specified term for it: divine sense.

Although Zhao Changhe’s control over his Back Eye was still at a rudimentary level, no matter how rudimentary it was, that small difference distinguished transcendent beings from mortals. This was the first step toward transcendence and sanctification. Crossing this step meant entering the first layer of the Profound Mysteries.

A middle-aged man, continuously retreating under the protection of his guards, turned back and cursed angrily, “Batu! This is insubordination and a violation of moral principles!”

Batu swung his saber, cutting down a soldier blocking his way, and continued his charge on horseback. “Hah! Since when do we from the Grasslands care about moral principles? Who was it that visited the Central Plains, you or me?”

He spat and continued, “I am the heir designated by my uncle! When you, as Uncle’s own brother, took his wife and incited your nephews to take my place, when did you ever care about moral principles? Fuck you!”

The man laughed loudly, “I think you just want to take your aunt for yourself!”

Batu was too lazy to argue with him. He charged onward past the formation and swung his saber. “Whoever takes He Shan’s head will be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold, a thousand cattle and sheep, and a tent of their own!”

The shouts of battle rose to the sky, and blood stained the yellow sands.

Batu had already charged close to He Shan, failing to realize that he had rushed too far ahead and left his personal guards behind.

He Shan’s previously angry and somewhat fearful eyes finally revealed a hint of glee. “A brute is just a brute in the end. Do you really think you’re invincible charging at me all on your own? While I might not be able to defeat your soldiers, that doesn’t mean I can’t take your life!”

Following his words, he reined in his horse and turned around, thrusting his spear straight at Batu’s chest.

As He Lei’s younger brother, although he was not listed on the rankings of the Tome of Troubled Times, he was still a dignified warrior who was at the ninth layer of the Profound Gate!

Meanwhile, Batu was still only at the seventh layer!

If he could lure Batu into the formation and take his head, he would have a chance to snatch victory from near-certain defeat!

Caught off guard, Batu realized that he had become overconfident due to his recent successes. He had not anticipated that his uncle, who seemed only capable of petty schemes, had secretly cultivated to the ninth layer of the Profound Gate.

If it were a normal battle, where he had his guards around him, he would have nothing to fear.

But in this chase, He Shan rode a Ferghana horse[4] and it ran incredibly fast. Fearing that He Shan might escape, Batu chased after him recklessly, leaving his guards a fair distance behind.

How could he block an attack from a ninth-layer expert?

Am I going to die here because of a stupid moment just as I am rising to power?

At that moment, a red figure flashed by.

He Shan’s spear was only halfway through its thrust when the joy of success froze on his face.

Yue Hongling leaped onto his Ferghana horse, exclaiming with joy, “Haha, what an excellent horse!”

Batu stared at her dumbfounded, and then he saw Zhao Changhe appear beside him with a smile. “Brother Batu, I hope you don’t mind. My wife lost her own horse and just so happens to have taken a liking to this red one.”

He Shan’s body fell to the ground with a thud, kicking up yellow sand. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined this would be the cause of his death.

Batu looked deeply at Zhao Changhe, knowing well the reason behind He Shan’s death was not just because of a horse but rather to send a statement through the defeated soldiers. Who knew how its meaning would turn out when it finally reached the khagan’s ears...

Without saying anything in reply, he raised his saber and shouted, “On this day, the Warring Lion Tribe is unified once more!”

1. The 任 (rèn) 督 (dū) meridians, commonly translated as Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel respectively, are two of the eight extraordinary meridians and run down the center of the body. These are considered central channels of energy in one’s body. ☜

2. The Huyin acupoint is on the pelvic floor, Danzhong in the middle of the chest, and Yutang above it, level with the third intercostal space on the midline. They are all on the Conception Vessel. ☜

3. Yongquan is on the sole of the foot, while Tianling is at the top of the head. ☜

4. The Heavenly Horses of Ferghana are an extinct breed of horses revered in ancient China for “sweating blood.” These horses were said to be not just fast, but very strong and hardy. ☜