CSMCDB - Chapter 139
Chapter 139
After the downpour, Wen Yuncheng looked at the night sky, a guess forming in her mind.
As the party under attack, the Plane Consciousness would instinctively do its best to enhance the strength of the creatures within the plane before the war began, in order to preserve itself.
“I need to level up quickly. Secret realms… the secret realms within the sects, can I obtain a spot by challenging them? Even if I have to pay with Star Stones.” Wen Yuncheng contemplated the feasibility of this approach. She wasn't picky about the secret realms; any secret realm would do. The Starry Sky Continent was vast, and there were many small secret realms under the control of various powers. It just depended on whether the sects were willing to open them for her.
[Mission Activated: The Path of Invincibility]
[Mission Requirement: As a Long Aotian, you must walk the path of invincibility and clear away all obstacles to your cultivation! Begin the Path of Invincibility!]
[Mission Reward: For every younger generation of a faction you defeat and gain the approval of the majority within that faction, you will receive 8,000 experience points.]
This path… seemed rather familiar.
The Heart of a Victor paired with the Path of Invincibility… could it be essential for a Long Aotian's growth? But compared to the mission 1947 had mentioned as a joke, the reward for this Path of Invincibility mission was quite good.
It's just that putting it into practice might not go so smoothly.
Wen Yuncheng quickly finished the bounties she was working on, turned in the missions, and returned to the Imperial Capital once more.
Then she paid another visit to the First Princess.
“Why are you here again? Did you go to a Fu stronghold?”
“No, no, I didn't. I really didn't. I was doing bounties. But after that big storm, Your Highness must have also noticed that everyone's connection to the Stars has grown closer, right?” Wen Yuncheng didn't actually understand what that feeling was like, but she could guess. When attacked by another plane, the Plane Consciousness exerts its power, hoping the creatures within its own plane can grow stronger. It's like how evolution occurs when a plane faces a crisis… hmm, just like it's described in the apocalyptic novels from her past life?
“Cultivation? What help do you need?” the First Princess asked. The Empire had already discussed the phenomenon Wen Yuncheng mentioned, and the Protectors' expressions had been very grim. The appearance of this phenomenon didn't seem like a fortuitous opportunity, but rather a sign of some future crisis. As for the specific crisis… it wasn't something they could easily disclose to Wen Yuncheng. After all, aside from herself and her second younger brother, none of the other imperial siblings knew the details.
“I want to walk the Path of Invincibility.” Since the First Princess had been so direct, Wen Yuncheng no longer concealed her intentions. “I want to walk a new Path of Invincibility, a path of combat.”
“And so?”
“I want to challenge the younger generation of every faction and earn their recognition.”
“A very good idea, but you should know, this will make you a lot of enemies.” In the past, there were people who walked the Path of Invincibility by constantly challenging other schools, accumulating their own 'momentum,' gaining continuous insights, and breaking through one level after another.
But the word 'invincible' allows for no failure. Once you fail, all the 'momentum' you've accumulated will vanish into thin air. Moreover, the Path of Invincibility is walked by stepping on the elite juniors of every faction…
“I know. I plan to start with the small factions and fight my way up, step by step. So I'd like to ask the First Princess to gather a list of the various sects, their rankings, and their specific locations for me.”
“I can do that. Do you need a guardian?” The First Princess thought of the various experts under her command, but… if Wen Yuncheng went around challenging schools, it would inevitably attract a lot of attention. “I will discuss the specifics with the three Protectors. For the next few days, stay in the Imperial Capital. I'll notify you when there's a result.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“By the way, some of the smaller sects don't have drums prepared for challengers.”
Wen Yuncheng was stunned for a moment. No drum to beat? No problem. She bowed to the First Princess again and said with a smile, “Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness.”
“…?” The First Princess didn't understand what Wen Yuncheng was thinking and waved her hand, dismissing her.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Wen Yuncheng hurried to the Star Auction House. She found Yan Ci and stated her needs: “I want to buy a large drum, preferably a Spirit Treasure. Profound-rank would be best, but a Yellow-rank one will also do.”
“You want… a drum?” Yan Ci scratched his head. “I'll keep an eye out for you. I'll post a bounty later and do my best to buy one for you.”
“Then thank you, Brother Yan Ci!” Wen Yuncheng thanked him cheerfully, took out two Star Stone cards, tapped them together, and with a thought, transferred some Star Stones. She handed one of the Star Stone cards to Yan Ci. “I don't know the exact value… here's twenty million Star Stones. I'll have to trouble you, Brother Yan Ci.”
[Are you sure… the First Princess meant for you to bring your own drum to challenge the small sects?]
Wen Yuncheng: It's fine. Whether that was her intention or not, it is now.
A week later.
Wen Yuncheng went to the Imperial Palace again and received the list compiled by the First Princess.
The Empire divided the various sects into three tiers. The first category consisted of major sects like the Blood Fiend Sect, Sky High Sect, Flowing Cloud Sect, Dream Haven Sect, Chaoyan Pavilion, and Zhengxi Tower. The second category included existences like the Tianmen Sect—medium-sized, not particularly large, but with some renown. There were many sects in the second category. Wen Yuncheng flipped through several pages before she saw her target—the third-category sects.
These were the small sects that didn't even have a drum for challengers. Most were only famous in a particular region, somewhat like local tyrants. Some, despite bearing the name of a sect, were not much different from local martial arts halls.
“Don't make your movements too predictable, to avoid being ambushed. Take this bead with you. If you're in danger, crush it. It contains Chu Han's will and can summon a clone of him.” The First Princess handed a small white bead to Wen Yuncheng. “As for other protection on the road… you can have Lin Jinyu's side send people to follow you, or have your teacher send someone. The Empire won't get involved.”
“Alright, thank you, Your Highness.” Wen Yuncheng carefully put away the small bead. With this, she had another layer of security.
The drum hadn't arrived yet. Yan Ci said he had news, but negotiations were still ongoing, so it would likely take some more time. Wen Yuncheng took this opportunity to visit the Flowing Cloud Sect and tell Lin Jinyu about her plan.
“…The Path of Invincibility?” As the young sect master of the Flowing Cloud Sect, Lin Jinyu knew that many prodigies had wanted to walk this path in the past. The large drums set up in various sects for challenges and exchanges were established for this very purpose. But she never expected Wen Yuncheng would also want to walk this path… Could it be that she got addicted after challenging the Flowing Cloud Sect last time?
“Yes.” Wen Yuncheng took out the list of sects the First Princess had given her and handed it to Lin Jinyu, also mentioning the bead from Protector Chu Han. “Don't worry about my safety. They gave me this bead. Even if I encounter a Star Emperor, it can delay them for a moment, and the Protector will arrive by then. Besides, I still have your defensive scroll.”
Lin Jinyu nodded and flipped through the list. She had never heard of many of the sects on it. Perhaps they were newly established? She looked at Wen Yuncheng. “Where are you going to start your challenges?”
“The path to invincibility naturally starts with the easy and moves to the difficult.” Wen Yuncheng flipped the list directly to the last page. “Let's start with this… Zhongyi Martial Tower.”
“…” Lin Jinyu felt that Wen Yuncheng was bullying people. But because it was Wen Yuncheng, she didn't say it out loud, merely nodding silently. Perhaps this was for the best; she wouldn't encounter any danger this way. “A sect like that probably doesn't have a drum.”
“I'm in the process of acquiring one. Yan Ci is helping. I'll set off after I get the drum.” Wen Yuncheng smiled. “By the way, where's Xiao Shi'er? You've been in seclusion recently, so I was thinking of taking her with me.”
“She's probably in the dining hall.” Lin Jinyu glanced at the sky and said, “Just come get her when you leave.”
“After the downpour and the phenomenon a while ago, how has your cultivation been?”
“Very good. I should be able to break through to the second layer of the Star Spirit realm soon.” Lin Jinyu said softly, “I've condensed my sword intent, and now I can control it with increasing ease, as if it were an extension of my own arm.” As Lin Jinyu spoke, she focused her mind slightly. The moment her aura turned cold and solemn, the phantom of a longsword condensed above her head.
Wen Yuncheng's headband once again transmitted waves of gentle energy, weakening the pressure her sword intent brought to bear on her. Wen Yuncheng raised a hand to touch her hair ribbon, and in the next instant, she lunged forward and hooked her arm around Lin Jinyu's neck. “Don't use your sword intent to pressure me…”
“…I was just demonstrating.” Faced with Wen Yuncheng's coquettish plea, the phantom longsword above Lin Jinyu dissipated. She raised her arms to embrace Wen Yuncheng's waist and explained in a low voice.
Wen Yuncheng stayed at the Flowing Cloud Sect for two days. On the third day, Lin Jinyu had an epiphany and prepared to break through. Coincidentally, she received a message from Yan Ci saying that the matter was settled; she just needed to come to the auction house to pick up the drum.
Wen Yuncheng sat obediently outside the seclusion chamber, waiting for Lin Jinyu to emerge from her breakthrough. Lin Jinyu's breakthrough this time was a natural progression, so she wasn't worried it would take too long. However, while waiting outside, she would see Sect Master Lin, which made Wen Yuncheng not dare to relax, and she remained seated in a well-behaved manner.
Sect Master Lin chatted with her for a while, his attitude quite amicable. He praised her for taking down the Fu stronghold and then offered some words of comfort. He said that she was still young, and the most important thing at the moment was cultivation. The Fu organization had existed for a long time and couldn't be completely eradicated in a short period.
Wen Yuncheng obediently agreed to everything.
In the evening, Lin Jinyu emerged from the seclusion chamber. Her cultivation had also stabilized at the second layer of the Star Spirit realm.
With Lin Jinyu's successful breakthrough, Wen Yuncheng left the Flowing Cloud Sect the next day. She returned to the Imperial Capital to get the Profound-rank drum Yan Ci had found for her, casually bought a pair of drumsticks, and then headed to the flight station to travel to the first stop on her Path of Invincibility.
Zhongyi Martial Tower? I wonder if the master's name is Zhong Yi or Zhong Yiwu.
The Zhongyi Martial Tower was a small sect. They had registered with the Empire and were officially listed. The martial tower had only been established for twenty years and was actually quite similar to a local martial arts hall. Its master, Zhong Yi, was currently only at the first layer of the Star Spirit realm. But in a small place like Kaiyang County, the Zhongyi Martial Tower was very famous, and many disciples from local families hoped to enter and study there.
On this particular morning, the disciples in the martial tower rose early as usual to wash up. After breakfast, they began their sparring practice. The masters of the martial tower walked around with their hands behind their backs, observing the students' postures and correcting them in a timely manner.
-Until they were startled by a loud bang.
A young person with a large drum was blocking the entrance to their martial tower, beating it with a loud dong, dong, dong.
The masters hurriedly calmed the disciples and went out with the tower master to have a look.
A young person at the first layer of the Star Spirit realm had planted a flag labeled “Path of Invincibility” at the entrance of their martial tower and said, “I ask for your guidance.”
Comments
Post a Comment