Chapter 218: Qin Mengjun's Astonishment
Chapter 218: Qin Mengjun's Astonishment
Chen Mu silently received the Heaven Principle Seal.
This Heaven Principle Seal was similar in nature to the Essence Spirit Pendant he had obtained earlier, but of even higher quality. With his understanding of the Heaven Earth Concept, he could clearly sense the immense Heavenly Firmament power contained within.
Although the quality of this seal was higher than that of the Essence Spirit Pendant, the fact that such a vast amount of Heavenly Firmament power could be sealed within, with barely any leakage, truly demonstrated the extraordinary abilities of a grandmaster.
However, Qin Mengjun was no ordinary grandmaster. During his prime, he was among the top three Marrow Cleansing Masters in the entire Cold Northern Region.
Holding the Heaven Principle Seal, Chen Mu fell into a brief silence before asking, "How did Master get injured back then?"
Although he had never sought guidance from Qin Mengjun since becoming his disciple, all the resources, cultivation techniques, and books he obtained in the Seven Profound Sect were at his disposal. These were acquired under his status as Qin Mengjun's direct disciple. Given Qin Mengjun's fluctuating state of consciousness, the effort he put into refining this Heaven Principle Seal as a protective item for Chen Mu was likely significant.
Chen Mu had always been one to repay kindness. From the beginning, Qin Mengjun had not concealed his condition and had shared all the facts, allowing Chen Mu to choose his path. After Chen Mu chose the Spirit Profound Peak, Qin Mengjun fulfilled his duties as a teacher, but Chen Mu's understanding of Qin Mengjun was still limited.
"It was an ambush," Meng Danyun whispered. "At that time, Master was secluded in the Forbidden Grounds, refining her essence blood with the power of heaven and earth channeled through the Heaven-Earth Dragon Lock Array to temper her essence blood. She was about to breakthrough to the Blood Transformation Realm when the Earth Meridian was suddenly shaken, causing a backlash."
"Master's energy was connected to the Heaven-Earth Dragon Lock Array at the most critical moment, and she immediately suffered a backlash from the Earth Meridian. Although she quickly activated the Heaven-Earth Dragon Lock Array to counterattack, the attacker fled after a single strike, making it impossible to identify the culprit."
"As for the subsequent assassination attempts, they were not as crucial. It's more likely that the mastermind behind the scenes wanted to confirm Master's condition and sent assassins. They used a Spirit Arrow Crossbow to attack, and although Master killed the assassin, she tried to conceal her injuries caused by the Earth Meridian's backlash. But in the end, for some unknown reason, the truth was leaked again."
Hearing Meng Danyun's account, Chen Mu's eyebrows furrowed.
The whereabouts and seclusion of an unparalleled grandmaster like Qin Mengjun were always kept secret. Even the sect's Defender would not know such details. Yet, the attacker managed to seize such a precise moment, causing a disturbance in the Earth Meridian from outside the mountain range and triggering a backlash, clearly indicated a major issue.
"The ability to shake the Earth Meridian and then retreat unscathed under Master's counterattack with the Heaven-Earth Dragon Lock Array undoubtedly confirms the attacker's existence in the Blood Transformation Realm. But how could they have grasped such a critical moment in Master's breakthrough..."
Chen Mu turned to Meng Danyun.
In his opinion, this situation likely involved a traitor within the sect, and not of low status.
Meng Danyun understood Chen Mu's concern and shook her head. "The Grand Supreme of the sect also suspected a traitor within and even investigated all the Peak Lords and Elders one by one, but no issues were found."
Chen Mu's heart sank upon hearing this.
If there was indeed a traitor in the Seven Profound Sect who had reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm or higher, it would be challenging to uncover. On the one hand, this was just a suspicion, and it was unclear if there was truly a traitor. A sect-wide purge was not feasible.
On the other hand, grandmasters above the Marrow Cleansing Realm were the sect's Elders and Peak Lords, holding significant influence within the Seven Profound Sect. Furthermore, given that they dared to ambush Qin Mengjun and did not flee after the attack, they must have been confident they would not be exposed.
"In turbulent times, people become like demons," Chen Mu concluded, shaking his head.
If not for this ambush, Qin Mengjun might have already entered the Blood Transformation Realm and become another Grand Supreme of the Seven Profound Sect. But who could have imagined that such an incident could occur within the sect, under the protection of the Heaven-Earth Dragon Lock Array? At that time, Qin Mengjun was a renowned grandmaster, watched closely by various parties, making this incident likely premeditated.
Thirteen years ago, the Cold Northern Region was not as chaotic as it is today, but the undercurrents were already stirring. However, incidents like this, involving high-level grandmasters, were not known to the common people.
Regardless of whether there was a traitor within the Seven Profound Sect or who had triggered the Earth Meridian disturbance outside the mountain range and ambushed Qin Mengjun, they would eventually reveal themselves. For now, Chen Mu only needed to remember these events.
If, in the future, he could breakthrough to the Blood Transformation Realm and become a Martial Saint, that day would be his opportunity to settle scores with these demons.
"Is Master still conscious? I'd like to pay my respects to her." Chen Mu asked Meng Danyun.
Meng Danyun shook her head. "I don't know. You can go and see for yourself. Master has always been there."
Chen Mu nodded slightly, turned around, and continued climbing along the mountain path. After reaching the peak, he headed towards the Spirit Profound Hall and soon arrived at the ancient tree behind it.
Beneath the ancient tree...
On the pristine rocks, Qin Mengjun's silhouette remained seated, unchanged from a year ago.
After a year, Chen Mu once again paid his respects to Qin Mengjun. This time, his perception of her had undergone a drastic transformation. Previously, Qin Mengjun seemed like a heavenly being, an unattainable pinnacle, her realm so lofty that he struggled to comprehend it, perceiving only a vague outline.
But now, things were different. Although he still couldn't clearly sense her physical presence, he could perceive the subtle changes in the surrounding heaven and earth. He felt a gathering of the 'Heavenly Firmament' intent.
"Master."
Chen Mu didn't approach too closely; from a distance, he bowed towards the silhouette on the rock.
The figure on the mountain remained motionless, gazing blankly at the distant sky.
Chen Mu stood still, maintaining his respectful posture.
Qin Mengjun had Meng Danyun deliver a message and sent the Heavenly Firmament Seal. Chen Mu wasn't sure if Qin Mengjun would awaken soon, but he decided to wait for a while longer.
Time passed, and no one knew how long.
The setting sun gradually descended, casting a dim light over the earth. A sliver of moonlight climbed into the sky, and a chill breeze blew across the cliffs. Qin Mengjun remained seated on the rock, unmoving, while Chen Mu stood steadfastly behind her.
The moonlight faded, and the eastern sky brightened with the first rays of dawn. Chen Mu still stood in his place.
As the sun passed noon, illuminating the distant mountains, the clouds between them gradually dispersed. Finally, Chen Mu exhaled slowly, took a gentle step back, and prepared to leave.
But at that moment, a soft voice spoke.
"You're here?"
Chen Mu looked up and saw that Qin Mengjun had turned her head at some point, her eyes gazing at him with warmth.
Qin Mengjun smiled at Chen Mu and said, "I thought you wouldn't come... Hmm?"
Her words trailed off, and she suddenly froze, her figure wavered, and she disappeared silently from the rock. When she reappeared, she was right in front of Chen Mu, looking at him in astonishment.
"Master."
Chen Mu bowed again.
Qin Mengjun stared at Chen Mu in disbelief, as if she had witnessed something unimaginable. After an unknown duration, she finally spoke, "How did you do it?"
At that moment, under her Heavenly Earth Aura Divination Technique, Chen Mu's clothing seemed non-existent.
Her gaze penetrated his skin and muscles, revealing the Essence Energy he cultivated within. In her vision, Chen Mu's body was composed of eight distinct external manifestations, perfectly integrated into a whole.
Among them were Water Cavern Intent, Fiery Departure, Thunder Rumble, and Gales Wind Concept. Whether in a mutually generative or mutually destructive relationship, they were now perfectly unified, and only one thing could create such a divine body.
Heaven-Earth Concept!
The complete Heaven-Earth Concept!
As a renowned Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster, renowned throughout the eleven states of the Cold Northern Region, she was no stranger to the Heaven-Earth Concept. She had even cultivated the Heavenly Firmament Concept to its peak.
However, most of the Heaven-Earth Concepts she had encountered were stuck at the first step. Some who had taken the second step were extremely old, in the Six Viscera Realm, and had spent decades to finally comprehend it. Only those like Yan Jingqing, who had mastered the Martial Domain, or those who had cultivated the complete Yin-Yang or Heaven-Earth Concepts to the second step, were listed on the Gale Wind Rankings.
But how old were those individuals?
How many years had they spent?
Chen Mu, whom she had last seen a year ago, was already at the pinnacle of talent and potential. At that time, in her eyes, he had entered the second step of four concepts, but he was still lacking in Water Cavern Intent and Marshy Pond Intent.
What did she see now? She witnessed Chen Mu's body gathering all eight aspects of Heaven and Earth, refining them into a complete Heaven-Earth Concept, undoubtedly at the second step! If not for her daze and astonishment, she might have questioned if years had passed.
In just a short year, Chen Mu had filled the gaps in the eight manifestations of Heaven and Earth, including the most challenging ones—Heavenly Firmament and Earthly Ground. He had cultivated the second step of the Heaven-Earth Concept... This was beyond the capabilities of a mere genius.
Her fourth disciple, born in these turbulent times, might be the chosen one destined for the eight manifestations of Heaven and Earth.
Chen Mu understood Qin Mengjun's question. Since he hadn't cultivated the Heavenly Son's Qi Gathering Art, it wasn't surprising that she could discern his achievement. He replied, "I diligently cultivate and never slack."
Qin Mengjun's gaze grew complex as she looked at Chen Mu, shaking her head. "This isn't just about effort. You've embarked on the most challenging Martial Dao path of this era."
"Do you know why warriors rarely comprehend more or deeper concepts after reaching the Six Viscera Realm?"
Qin Mengjun spoke softly.
Chen Mu shook his head. "Please enlighten me, Master."
(End of Chapter)
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