Chapter 239: The Arrival of the Celestial Talents
Chapter 239: The Arrival of the Celestial Talents
"Benefactor, aren't you going to take the mountain leopard's meat?" Jin Ling-er asked, noticing Chen Mu walking away along the mountain path without glancing at the abandoned leopard corpse beside him.
Chen Mu turned to look at her and nodded calmly. Indeed, this leopard was a demonic beast, but only of the second rank, which was insignificant to his current strength.
"Then, can I take it?" Jin Ling-er asked cautiously. "My mother hasn't had meat for a long time."
Chen Mu smiled and nodded.
Jin Ling-er was about to cut off a piece of leopard meat to take with her, but to Chen Mu's surprise, she went to the leopard demon's corpse, grabbed it, and with a mighty heave, lifted the leopard demon, which was much larger than her entire body, weighing at least four to five hundred pounds.
For Chen Mu, such strength was nothing extraordinary, but it was evident that Jin Ling-er, a young girl who clearly hadn't trained in martial arts, possessed exceptional power. Even without examining her root bone condition, it was apparent that she had some innate divine strength.
Among the disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect's various peaks, there would be a few like her every generation, but ultimately, they were still rare.
"Good strength," Chen Mu said with a smile.
Jin Ling-er's cheeks flushed slightly as she carried the massive leopard demon alongside Chen Mu. "I've always wanted to follow my third uncle and the others to hunt and bring back some meat for my mother, but they never take me, saying I'm too young. They only let me gather herbs."
As Chen Mu walked alongside Jin Ling-er, he admired the mountain scenery while continuing to comprehend the heavens and earth. "Your third uncle must be a formidable person."
"Yes," Jin Ling-er nodded vigorously, full of admiration. "My third uncle went out of the mountains when he was young and learned martial arts from a master. His strength is much greater than mine. Half of the village's annual hunt is due to my third uncle."
Chen Mu nodded slightly, finding Jin Ling-er's admiration and pride endearing, and for a moment, he felt a resemblance to Yue-er. He casually asked a few more questions, and from Jin Ling-er's answers, he learned that these mountain dwellers weren't completely isolated from the world.
There were scattered villages in the mountains.
And in the center of these scattered villages, there was a large town where various goods could be bought and sold.
Even a girl like Jin Ling-er knew that the vast mountains she lived in were collectively called 'Yu County', and beyond Yu County, there was the lofty Seven Mysteries Sect.
"So, you're from the Seven Mysteries Sect, no wonder you could catch me when I fell from the mountain," Jin Ling-er exclaimed in surprise upon learning that Chen Mu was indeed from the Seven Mysteries Sect.
"Do you want to go to the Seven Mysteries Sect to learn martial arts?" Chen Mu asked, looking ahead as the mountain path turned, revealing a small but not insignificant village.
Although Zhao Zhenchuan was previously in charge of selecting disciples for Ling Xuan Peak, and now Meng Danyu was managing it, Chen Mu wasn't particularly concerned. Still, Jin Ling-er's exceptional root bone made her worth mentioning.
"I do," Jin Ling-er replied with sincerity. "It's just that my mother isn't in good health, and I..."
"You don't have to decide in a hurry," Chen Mu said with a relaxed demeanor, stopping in his tracks and gazing at the village in the distance with rising smoke. "Alright, you should head back. I'll come by again in a few days."
With Jin Ling-er's exceptional root bone, she could directly enter the inner sect of the Seven Mysteries Sect and, in the future, cultivate to the Bone Forging Realm. To many, it might seem a pity if she didn't go to the Seven Mysteries Sect, but Chen Mu believed that the choice wasn't always so clear-cut.
Perhaps if Jin Ling-er went to the Seven Mysteries Sect, she would cultivate all the way to the Bone Forging Realm and even the Organ Realms, but she would soon encounter a peril like the Sand Disaster and eventually fade away silently.
If she stayed in this remote and secluded mountain village with its simple and honest folk, her life might be challenging and dangerous, but it could also bring her happiness. Therefore, Chen Mu wouldn't make the choice for her.
In the end, the path one takes and how one walks it depends on one's heart's desires.
"Clarify the heart, see the nature, be unshaken, unwavering, without regret, without shame," Chen Mu sighed inwardly, gaining a deeper understanding of the martial will.
These things were easy to say but hard to do.
To be unshaken and unwavering, without regret and without shame—if Jin Ling-er left home to become a disciple and cultivated in the Seven Mysteries Sect, and one day, upon returning to the village, she found that all her known family had passed away, could she truly be without regret?
Or, if he, Chen Mu, left the Jade Province where he had stayed for many years, became a disciple of Ling Xuan Peak, and in the blink of an eye, nearly two years had passed, and he saw that Xu Hongyu and Ning He had faded, would his heart remain unmoved?
No wonder it was so difficult to cultivate to become a grandmaster.
Just being unshaken and unwavering was enough to make many martial artists linger for a lifetime, let alone being without regret and without shame.
With the system panel's capabilities, Chen Mu believed he wouldn't encounter bottlenecks at each realm, even without a condensed martial will. Advancing to the Marrow Washing Realm wouldn't be challenging, and perhaps only when stepping into the third stage of the Heaven-Earth Concept would he need a martial will of being without regret and without shame to stabilize himself. But that was still far from his current state.
Chen Mu quickly gathered his thoughts and calmed himself.
He watched Jin Ling-er's departure.
Then, his figure flickered and disappeared into the distance, continuing towards the direction of the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder.
(End)
The Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder is located in the northeastern direction of Amethyst Province, also known as the highest place in the province.
As Chen Mu continued his journey, the terrain gradually became more elevated, rising nearly two thousand zhang higher than other county seats. Only the mountain folk who lived here year-round were unaffected; other martial artists, even those in the Skin and Muscle Cultivation Realm, would feel immense pressure upon suddenly arriving at such high altitudes.
Not only did Chen Mu sense the increasing might of the Mountain of Tranquility's power, but the grandeur of Skyward Primal's authority also grew stronger.
Finally, after an unknown distance, the undulating mountains at the end of his sight became stable, transforming into a straight and expansive highland. It was the most vast plain he had ever seen.
On that boundless plateau, numerous buildings could be seen, roughly estimated to number in the tens of thousands. Although there were no city walls, this was still the most populous settlement in Amethyst Province—the county seat!
Here, looking towards the northeast, one could vaguely see a towering mountain standing between heaven and earth. Its peak was already hidden within thick clouds, leaving no trace. That was the highest peak in Amethyst Province—the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder.
"No wonder it can only be climbed during the Horizon Sea's turbulence."
Chen Mu gazed at the magnificent giant peak, and his eyes revealed a hint of awe. Indeed, this was the tallest mountain he had ever seen, almost comparable to the mountain shadows depicted in his Mountain of Tranquility map.
In this world, when one descended underground, they would encounter resistance from the Vein Energy. The deeper one went, the stronger the Vein Energy became. The same was true when ascending into the sky; at two thousand zhang, it was manageable, but the higher one went, the more formidable the Skyward Primal's power became, making it increasingly difficult to ascend.
This plateau was already over fifteen hundred zhang high.
In the distance, the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder, when observed roughly, was at least four thousand zhang tall.
If it weren't for the temporary weakening of the Celestial and Earthly Firmament's power, only a grandmaster would likely be able to reach the summit. Even the best of the Six Viscera Realm might not be able to withstand the pressure of four thousand zhang.
The Horizon Sea's turbulence occurred once every five years. During this time, the Seven Mysteries Sect would arrange for numerous inner disciples, including all true disciples, to climb the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder and comprehend the profound mysteries of heaven and earth.
Silently, Chen Mu stepped onto the plateau.
The Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder couldn't be climbed yet, so he didn't rush over. Instead, he decided to stay in the county seat of Amethyst Province to search for disciples from the Seven Mysteries Sect and the Spirit Profound Peak.
He had set off relatively late, and although he traveled alone without delay, the county seat of Amethyst Province was already bustling with activity. Walking between the teahouses, he could hear various discussions.
With Chen Mu's arrival, more and more young Celestial Talents from the Cold Northern Road's eleven states entered the county seat.
Buzz!
A young man draped in a long brocade robe, carrying a large halberd of earthy yellow, strode along the wide ground, dragging the halberd behind him, creating deep furrows in the earth as if it weighed a thousand pounds. He didn't conceal his aura at all, and the overwhelming pressure of his realm made the common folk of Amethyst Province involuntarily kneel, while the disciples from various sects walking by also felt the heavy oppression, their eyes widening in astonishment.
"It's Yuan Yingsong!"
Someone sensed that aura from afar.
The second-ranked on the Rising Talent List, Yuan Yingsong, the son of the Northern King, was born with an indomitable body and limitless strength. His Eight Directions Halberd weighed a staggering one thousand eight hundred pounds, and he had killed countless foreign Xiongnu tribes beyond the border. Among his peers, he was only half a move behind Zuo Qianqiu.
"Where is Zuo Qianqiu?"
Yuan Yingsong dragged his halberd, his gaze sweeping over several Sky Sword Sect disciples.
Those inner disciples of the Sky Sword Sect trembled under Yuan Yingsong's might, struggling to remain standing. They felt an overwhelming pressure, as if an insurmountable giant peak was pressing down on them, making it difficult to even breathe.
"Senior Brother Zuo hasn't arrived yet..."
At the head, Lyu Yuan, struggled to respond under the oppressive pressure.
Yuan Yingsong's gaze swept over them before he lifted his halberd. "He hasn't come yet? What a pity. I thought he would have been here already. Well, I'll go find the bald donkey from Non-Birth Temple to spar with."
Yuan Yingsong's figure disappeared into the distance.
Only then did Lyu Yuan and the other Sky Sword Sect disciples breathe a sigh of relief.
"You're ranked one place ahead of me on the Rising Talent List, but I've no idea how strong you truly are."
As the words fell, almost everyone felt as if a mighty wave of water surged from the ethereal, like a towering tsunami, flooding the streets and filling the buildings, turning the entire area into an ocean.
"It's the true transmission supreme, Hai Ming, of Horizon Palace, ranked sixth on the Rising Talent List. Rumor has it that he cultivates the 'Vast Sea Intention', a top-tier martial arts intention second only to the complete Yin-Yang Five Phases."
Someone's heart trembled.
The Vast Sea Intention, though based on water, carries the power to overturn heaven and earth.
"You're not my match."
At that moment, a cold voice came from another direction. In an instant, the temperature seemed to drop drastically, causing many to shiver and feel a chill as if they were surrounded by ice.
A figure in a green robe appeared silently atop a building, standing there motionless. The nearby clouds seemed to freeze into icy mist, condensing into shards of ice.
"Han Cang of Ice Absolute Palace, he's indeed already here."
Someone gasped.
On the Rising Talent List, Zuo Qianqiu was far ahead of the rest, having defeated Yuan Yingsong with just half a move. The next three, fourth, and fifth ranks were considered not far behind, all in close competition with Yuan Yingsong.
"Ice Absolute Palace is the only major sect in Ice State. It's said that Ice State is a place of extreme cold, vast lands, and sparse population. Yet, it nurtures countless martial artists suitable for ice-based cultivation. Han Cang is one of the best among them, rumored to be a talent encountered once in thirty years."
In a courtyard.
Shen Lin stood beside Chen Mu, gazing intently in the direction of Han Cang. She couldn't help but whisper.
In the courtyard, there were other inner disciples of Seven Mysteries Sect, not limited to Spirit Profound Peak. They were all top-tier cultivators with perfect Bone Forging Realm cultivation. Additionally, there was a true transmission disciple from Minor Profound Peak, also staring intently at Han Cang with a look of apprehension.
"This person is incredibly strong. I wonder how he compares to Zhou Shixiong."
Even among true transmission disciples, there were differences. As a true transmission disciple from Minor Profound Peak, he couldn't climb the Rising Talent List, showing some gap compared to those at the end of the list, let alone those in the top five.
"Not much difference."
Chen Mu stood with his hands behind his back, looking outside. He spoke calmly, "But if it's on the Heavenly Ladder, in an environment of extreme cold, he might not easily defeat Yuan Yingsong and Zuo Qianqiu by relying on the terrain."
Hearing Chen Mu's words, the people in the courtyard nodded slightly. Indeed, after reaching a certain level, the power of heaven and earth could be said to be quite significant.
"He's really lucky. Maybe this time, on the Heavenly Ladder, he'll be the one to claim the supreme position."
The true transmission disciple from Minor Profound Peak sighed beside him.
At this moment, Shen Lin blinked and turned to Chen Mu, saying, "Extreme cold is no issue. Chen Shixiong cultivates the Skyward Primal Intention. When it comes to leveraging the environment, on the Heavenly Ladder, Chen Shixiong won't be inferior to them."
After listening to Shen Lin's words, Chen Mu only replied calmly, "There's a gap. It's not something that can be made up by leveraging the environment."
"True."
Suddenly, the courtyard door opened, and a figure walked in slowly. Responding to Chen Mu, he said, "It's so lively outside. Aren't you going to join them, Chen Shidi? Many people want to know your strength now."
The newcomer had a face like warm jade, wearing a yellow brocade robe. He was none other than the true transmission disciple of Great Mysterious Peak.
Zhou Hao.
As the former true transmission supreme of Seven Mysteries Sect, his position was now challenged by Chen Mu. Yet, he maintained a peaceful demeanor, smiling at Chen Mu without any arrogance.
The earth's energy is thick, and the gentleman carries virtue to bear all things.
Zhou Hao seemed to have a profound understanding of the Earthly Firmament Intention.
"I'm not interested."
Chen Mu replied calmly after hearing Zhou Hao's words.
Not yet reaching the Heavenly Ladder, he had no interest in seeking opponents. Instead, he preferred to wander around this plateau several times, carefully perceiving heaven and earth, and advancing his cultivation of the Sky-Earth Intention.
"Fine."
Zhou Hao smiled, and suddenly, a trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The surrounding disciples were startled, and someone immediately approached, asking, "Zhou Shixiong, are you injured?"
Zhou Hao calmly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I fought with Jiang Yifei, and he's not much better off either. It's just a minor injury. I'll be fine after resting for a couple of days."
Then, he turned to Chen Mu and smiled, "The Rising Talent List of Horizon Palace does have some talented individuals. Zuo Qianqiu and Yuan Yingsong are still decent, but the rankings behind them are quite detailed. It's almost time for the next change."
After speaking, Zhou Hao stepped into the inner courtyard and disappeared.
The people in the courtyard looked perplexed, and many turned their gazes to Chen Mu.
If asked who would have the most significant change in the next Rising Talent List, it would undoubtedly be Chen Mu. After all, Chen Mu's previous ranking had fallen to the thirties, and now it was surely much higher.
Currently, Zhou Hao was ranked in the top ten, and those in the top ten were almost all as strong as Zhou Hao.
No one knew what Chen Mu's actual ranking would be after the Heavenly Ladder, or if he could step into the top ten.
(End)
Chapter end
Report
