Chapter 171: The Approaching Calamity
Chapter 171: The Approaching Calamity
On the imperial road, a carriage moved at a leisurely pace.
The driver was Xiao He, and inside sat Chen Mu, Chen Yue, and Xu Hongyu.
At this moment, within the carriage, both Xu Hongyu and Chen Yue sat beside Chen Mu, their eyes fixed on the area between his legs, each immersed in their own thoughts.
There, on the seat, was a map.
The map depicted a continuous mountain range, and at first glance, it seemed to evoke a hazy intention, as if they were truly gazing upon a majestic and towering mountain range, exuding a sense of immovable mountains.
This was the Kun Mountain Map obtained from the Hao Family.
Yu Family's Water Gate Map was not something he could carry with him at all times for contemplation, but this Kun Mountain Map had no such restrictions, so he had brought it with him on his journey to Anyu County and kept it with him on the return trip as well.
Xu Hongyu had already comprehended the Water Gate Intention, and the next step could be either to deepen her understanding of the Water Gate Intention to its limit in the first step, attempting to break through to the second step, or to comprehend a second type of intention.
In Chen Mu's opinion, comprehending a second type of intention was a more suitable path for Xu Hongyu, as her current cultivation was limited to the initial stage of the Bone Forging Realm, making it too difficult for her to comprehend the second step of the Water Gate Intention in this realm.
Furthermore, after comprehending the Water Gate Intention and unraveling Xu Yichuan's emotional knot, her current physique had become as normal as an ordinary person's. A few days ago, when Chen Mu had tested her, the water intention surrounding her was as gentle as silk, and there would be no issues with practicing Kun Mountain.
As for Chen Yue...
Technically, she shouldn't have directly observed a higher-level intention map before comprehending the Blade Form, but considering that the Water Gate Sword Techniques under the Water Gate Intention might not be the most suitable for her, Chen Mu decided to try a Blade Form he had extracted from the Kun Mountain Map with her. The result was that Chen Yue indeed showed a stronger affinity for the Kun Mountain lineage compared to the Water Gate lineage.
Previously, Chen Mu had also tested Chen Yue with the Trigram Wind and Earthquake Thunder Intentions, but the results were all similar, except for Kun Mountain, which was clearly different. This left Chen Mu puzzled, wondering if it was because of her developing Snow Mountain physique.
After discovering Chen Yue's inclination towards the Kun Mountain Map, Chen Mu extracted a sword technique from his comprehension of the Kun Mountain Map and taught it to her. He also allowed her to contemplate the map, but limited her to a maximum of one hour per day to avoid excessive immersion.
As for Xiao He, who practiced the Water Gate Sword Technique and had also mastered the Blade Form, she was not suitable for comprehending the Kun Mountain Intention. Thus, she ended up as the carriage driver, feeling a little aggrieved. However, the thought of Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu's upcoming wedding upon their return brought a sweet satisfaction to her heart.
The carriage didn't travel at a fast pace.
However, the road was bumpy, causing some discomfort.
Those inside the carriage, especially Chen Mu, were unaffected by the bumps. The Kun Mountain Map between his legs remained steady, not swaying with the carriage's movements.
Time passed, and Chen Mu's mind gradually turned to the Kun Mountain Map. With a thought, he summoned the system panel.
[Martial Arts: Kun Mountain Intention (Uncomprehended)]
[Experience: 10,002 points]
[Available Simulations: 0]
"Finally, it's enough," he muttered, looking at the system panel's description and shaking his head slightly.
It had been a long time since he obtained this Kun Mountain Map, more than a month.
He had spent nearly half a month in Yu City, then almost ten days traveling to Anyu County by carriage with Chen Yue to meet her family. After staying in Anyu County for four to five days, they were now on their way back to Yu City, and another five to six days had passed.
After advancing the Body Tempering Technique to the Organ Realms, he no longer needed to allocate specific time for cultivation. The internal energy of the five organs circulated automatically, allowing him to focus more on intention cultivation. However, he had been extremely busy recently.
The half-month following the destruction of the Hao Family was particularly hectic, filled with various tasks that significantly hindered his progress in comprehending the Kun Mountain Map.
Nevertheless, during this journey, he had managed to find moments to contemplate and cultivate, and now, for the first time, he had accumulated enough experience for a simulation.
After some thought, Chen Mu summoned his experience and exchanged it for a simulation, which he promptly initiated.
Although the 'Left and Right Dharma Protectors' were present, comprehending the Kun Mountain Intention wasn't surprising for him at this point, especially with Xu Hongyu and Chen Yue by his side.
As the system simulation began, a buzzing sound reverberated, and in an instant, Xu Hongyu and Chen Yue vanished from his side. The carriage also disappeared, and before him lay a desolate land.
In the distance, a continuous mountain range emerged, seemingly out of nowhere.
The mountains were towering and majestic, evoking a sense of awe even from a distance. The peaks soared into the clouds, seemingly connected to the vast blue sky above.
The mountain range exuded a sense of weight and solidity, as if it could withstand the destruction of all things and remain standing, or even support the collapsing sky, becoming the pillar that held up the heavens.
"Unmoving like a mountain..." Chen Mu murmured to himself.
Mountains symbolize weight and solidity, and the Kun Mountain lineage's Blade Form was the most intricate among the various techniques, especially those derived from Kun Mountain, which were even more complex and suited the blade weapon.
Unlike the Wind, Thunder, and Fire Intentions.
This was a majestic power, capable of both defense and subjugation, and could even become the pillar supporting the heavens.
While it might not be as powerful in offense and might as the Wind, Thunder, and Fire Intentions, comprehending the Kun Mountain Intention would allow him to transform his Primordial Energy into Kun Mountain Primordial Energy, greatly enhancing his defensive abilities. Especially when grounded, he could borrow the earth's power to face all challenges, becoming an extension of the mountains themselves!
Xu Hongyu and Chen Yue simultaneously awoke from their reverie, looking at each other in surprise before turning to Chen Mu. They could sense a subtle yet distinct weight and solidity emanating from his entire being, as if he had transformed into a mountain himself.
"Hmm!"
Xiao He also sensed the change and halted the carriage.
This heavy atmosphere wasn't just an intangible force, but it had transformed into a tangible entity, spreading in all directions. Its effect was evident on the entire carriage, making it feel significantly heavier. The wheels left deeper imprints on the imperial road.
"Is this... the Kun Mountain Intention?"
After stopping the carriage, Xiao He lifted the curtain and poked her head inside.
Xu Hongyu nodded slightly at her, and in her gaze towards Chen Mu, there was a hint of admiration. This was Chen Mu, her future husband, and he had grasped a new intention with such ease. During the carriage ride, he had quietly achieved it.
She thought about her own journey of comprehension over the past few days, and all she felt was confusion and difficulty. She hadn't grasped even a shred of the essence, while Chen Mu, who had started his cultivation much earlier, was already at the Five Viscera Realm. Yet, he had effortlessly grasped the Kun Mountain Intention...
Xu Hongyu sat there, dazed.
For a moment, she thought about the children she would have with Chen Mu in the future, and she hoped they wouldn't lag behind because of her.
Of course, if Chen Mu knew about Xu Hongyu's stray thoughts, he would probably just laugh it off. While he had indeed entered the Five Viscera Realm earlier and was more advanced in his cultivation, if they were at the same level, he might not be able to determine who had the better comprehension between the two of them. However, if his system panel was also considered part of his comprehension, then perhaps no one in the entire world could match his understanding.
In the silence...
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Chen Mu opened his eyes.
The heavy and spreading intention suddenly retracted, and the carriage seemed to shed a thousand pounds of weight, instantly returning to its previous light and airy state.
"It's done."
Chen Mu nodded slightly at Xiao He and said, "Let's continue."
But as his words fell, he noticed that Xiao He, Chen Yue, and the others were all staring at him in a daze, especially Xiao He. She couldn't help but think to herself, "This is an intention, the Kun Mountain Intention! Even if it's just the initial comprehension, it's a realm that countless martial artists in Yu City yearn for. Yet, to Chen Mu, it's as if nothing happened, just a trivial matter."
However, upon closer thought, it seemed that it wasn't a big deal for Chen Mu. After all, he had entered the Five Viscera Realm and possessed three types of intentions: Wind, Thunder, and Fire. He was a top-tier true disciple at the Seven Mysteries Sect.
The carriage continued forward.
Chen Mu lowered his head and gazed at the Kun Mountain map.
It wasn't surprising that his reaction was subdued. Indeed, comprehending a new intention wasn't a significant achievement. In the initial stages, it might only increase his command of heavenly might by a quarter. Compared to his current strength, it was indeed a negligible improvement. Unless he could advance to the second step of the Kun Mountain Intention, it wouldn't be a substantial improvement. Only then would he possess six portions of heavenly might.
"I wonder how much heavenly might one can gain by cultivating the Heaven Gate and Earthly Firmament separately."
"And how much after combining them into the complete Heaven-Earth Intention?"
Chen Mu muttered to himself.
The reason for the wide gap in the Six Bowels Realm was that it started from the Five Viscera Realm. The weakest in the Six Bowels Realm, those who barely managed to enter it, and those who hadn't even grasped the second step of the intention, probably had, at most, four or five portions of might.
As for Yan Jingqing, who was at the pinnacle, with all six bowels completely tempered to perfection and command over three second-step intentions, rumors even suggested that he was close to the third step in one of his intentions. If his strength were measured in terms of might, it would be at least twenty portions.
As Chen Mu pondered these matters, Chen Yue quietly ran to the front of the carriage and started chatting with Xiao He. Laughter filled the air.
After a while, Xiao He suddenly said, "Speaking of which, when we went out with our future brother-in-law, we encountered a heavenly calamity. He said that it was because of my sins in my past life, and Heaven was punishing me."
Chen Yue covered her mouth and giggled, "How could someone as kind as Ning Jie have any sins in her past life?"
The two girls continued their lively conversation.
At that moment, Chen Mu, who was studying the Kun Mountain map inside the carriage, suddenly paused, sensing a subtle change in the heavens and earth. He lifted the curtain and looked outside, but he didn't notice anything unusual.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao He and Chen Yue, seeing Chen Mu's behavior and sensing that he had noticed something, stopped their laughter and followed his gaze, carefully observing their surroundings.
The imperial road was wide, and there weren't any people around. In the distance, there were some cultivated farmlands.
"Something feels off," Chen Mu said, his expression turning pensive.
Having entered the Five Viscera Realm, with the inner and outer universe cycle and the second step of three intentions, Chen Mu was highly sensitive to changes in the heavens and earth. However, he couldn't immediately discern the nature of this change.
Another heavenly calamity? But the feeling he got was completely different from the previous drought, and it wasn't just different; it was the opposite. It didn't seem like the same type of change at all.
Just then, Xu Hongyu also stepped out. She stared at the sky for a moment and then extended her jade-like hand, sensing something. "It seems like the water intention is becoming more intense," she said.
"Water intention?" Chen Mu wondered, finally reacting. No wonder he couldn't judge it accurately; this was an aspect he hadn't comprehended. Since the feeling was the opposite of the drought and Xu Hongyu could clearly sense the water intention in the heavens and earth becoming more intense, the reason for this change was likely not hard to guess.
Tidal disaster!
It was just after the start of spring, and the ice in the rivers had mostly melted, as if proving the saying, 'No auspicious snow means no good year.' The first change of the new year was one of the basic heavenly calamities—the tidal disaster!
[End of Chapter]
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