Chapter 315: Ask the Dao, No Return
Chapter 315: Ask the Dao, No Return
"There's one more thing. In the Sect Treasury, there's a Celestial Stone, which I'd like to exchange for a Spirit Weapon."
As Chen Mu spoke, he took out the Spirit Weapon Crescent Blade from beneath his robe, the one that once belonged to Bonebreaker Marquis. Although its quality was similar to the Cold Soul Spirit Blade, it wasn't top-grade, and it belonged to the relatively niche category of Blood Slaughter Spirit Weapons. Still, in terms of value, it was comparable to the Celestial Stone. After all, the Celestial Stone also required some rare auxiliary materials to forge a Spirit Weapon on par with the Cold Soul Spirit Blade.
Qi Zhiyuan looked at the Spirit Weapon Crescent Blade that Chen Mu handed over and, after briefly weighing it in his hand, nodded slightly, saying, "This must be the Spirit Weapon of Bonebreaker Marquis. I'll have someone deliver the Celestial Stone to you."
Speaking of which, he paused for a moment and turned to Chen Mu, "You need the Celestial Stone, which means you're planning to forge a Cosmic Spirit Weapon. These eight materials are not easy to gather. If you're missing anything, I can help you find one or two of them."
Among all the Spirit Weapons in the world, Cosmic Spirit Weapons were the most challenging to create due to the rarity of each required material. Almost every single one could be combined with some auxiliary materials to forge a Spirit Weapon comparable to the Cold Soul Spirit Blade.
Not to mention that some materials, like Supreme Purity Qi, were even scarcer.
The value of a Cosmic Spirit Weapon was almost ten times that of the Cold Soul Spirit Blade, and once forged, its power was equivalent to the Xuan Tian Sword. However, only someone like Chen Mu, who cultivated the Cosmic Dao, could wield its full potential. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to harness its power.
In the past, even if Chen Mu had obtained a Cosmic Spirit Weapon when he first entered the Wind and Cloud Ranking, it would have attracted envy and jealousy. Its value was something that even a Grand Master would covet. But now, Chen Mu was ranked third on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, and even a figure like Bonebreaker Marquis had died at his hands. He was indeed qualified to refine and possess a Cosmic Spirit Weapon.
With such strength and status, he wouldn't attract too much envy anymore.
"I'm missing Supreme Purity Qi, Southern Flame, and Calm Sea Pearl."
Chen Mu's expression remained calm, and he didn't hide anything. He directly stated the three materials he lacked.
Although he had already asked the Flower Sisters to help him search for information, it wouldn't hurt to have the Qiuan Sect assist in finding one or two of the materials. As for the fact that he already possessed the other five materials, it wasn't something he needed to hide anymore, given his current strength.
"You've already found five of them?"
Qi Zhiyuan was surprised to hear Chen Mu's words.
While materials comparable to the Celestial Stone weren't something that renowned Grand Masters would fight for at all costs, they were indeed rare and in short supply. Whenever someone obtained them, they were quickly traded or used to forge a Spirit Weapon that suited their needs.
Chen Mu had only recently risen to the level of the Wind and Cloud Ranking, and yet he had already gathered four of the materials comparable to the Celestial Stone. This wasn't just a matter of strength; it also involved fate and opportunity.
However.
The eight materials became increasingly difficult to find as time went on. It was easy to obtain duplicates during the search, and one had to find ways to trade and exchange them. In any case, it was a significant undertaking for a Grand Master that required a lot of effort and attention.
"Yes, I'll have five once I get the Celestial Stone."
Chen Mu nodded slightly to Qi Zhiyuan and said, "If you have any news, Elder Qi, please let me know. If the Sect Treasury has any new acquisitions, I can also exchange them for other items of equal value."
At this point, he could even trade the Cold Soul Spirit Blade or the Demon-Slaying Lightning Spear. As long as he could gather the materials to refine a Cosmic Spirit Weapon, the other Spirit Weapons wouldn't be important to him anymore.
"It seems like fate is on your side."
Qi Zhiyuan sighed and said, "Alright, I'll have the Sect and the Surveillance Bureau keep an eye out for them."
"Thank you, Elder Qi. In that case, I'll take my leave now."
Chen Mu bowed to Qi Zhiyuan and didn't plan to stay longer. He had other matters to attend to. First, he needed to free up some time to rehearse the Cosmic Dao once more, and then he intended to pay a visit to Qin Mengjun.
Qi Zhiyuan nodded slightly and watched Chen Mu leave. He stared at the direction where Chen Mu had disappeared for a brief moment, then his gaze became more serious, and with a flash, he vanished within the small courtyard.
The matter Chen Mu reported was indeed significant and required the involvement of the Supreme Elder, not something the Acting Sect Leader could decide on his own. If they were to take action against the Heaven Demon Sect or the Heaven Corpse Sect, even a group of Marrow Washing Grand Masters couldn't act recklessly.
...
Chen Mu descended from Taixuan Peak.
Without lingering on the main peak, he soon made his way back to Lingxuan Peak and quickly reached its base.
Looking up at the majestic Lingxuan Peak, Chen Mu's mental state rippled slightly. It had been almost four years since he joined Lingxuan Peak. When he first arrived, he had only just begun to glimpse the profound mysteries of the Martial Dao, but now he had reached the level of a Grand Master.
If Qin Mengjun knew his current cultivation realm, she would surely be shocked once again.
Thinking of his master, Qin Mengjun, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile. Although they hadn't spent much time together, she had cared for and guided him when he was weak. Even with his natural talent and comprehension, he was certain he could have reached his current height, but Qin Mengjun had indeed helped him avoid some detours.
Ascending the peak along the familiar mountain path, Chen Mu didn't bother to conceal his aura or body this time, strolling casually. Along the way, he soon encountered many inner disciples of Lingxuan Peak, including several new, unfamiliar, and youthful faces.
Even though Chen Mu hadn't returned to Lingxuan Peak in a long while, some of the older Inner Sect disciples still recognized him. As they saw Chen Mu climbing the mountain path, they were astonished and hurriedly bowed to him.
"Senior Brother Chen!"
"Senior Brother Chen!"
Along the mountain path, disciples bowed respectfully to Chen Mu.
Nowadays, within the Lingxuan Peak sect, everyone knew of Chen Mu, the former True Disciple and current Grand Guardian, whose formidable reputation was renowned. He was ranked among the top three on the Wind and Chill Illness Ranking, second only to Peak Master Qin Mengjun within the Lingxuan Peak. Chen Mu's talent was extraordinary, and within just a few years, he had cultivated to his current realm, rivaling even the Grandmasters.
Along the way, Chen Mu noticed some familiar figures, such as Jin Ling'er.
"Um... Senior Brother Chen."
Jin Ling'er, wearing a clean Inner Sect disciple's robe, saw Chen Mu and hurriedly bowed, intending to call out 'Savior' but instead addressed him as 'Senior Brother.'
Chen Mu stopped and glanced at Jin Ling'er, sensing the abundant and vigorous Qi in her body. It seemed that she had not only perfected the Skin Tempering realm but was also close to completing the Muscle Cultivation realm, nearing the Sinew Transformation stage.
"Have you completed the Muscle Cultivation realm?"
Chen Mu asked Jin Ling'er gently.
Jin Ling'er, slightly embarrassed, replied, "I just achieved it a few days ago..."
In the 169th chapter, there is no mistake in the version I read!
Actually, among the younger Inner Sect disciples of Lingxuan Peak, Jin Ling'er was the most advanced in her cultivation. In just a year and a half since joining the sect, she had made astonishing progress and completed the Muscle Cultivation realm. This was not only due to her unique talent and physique but also her diligence in cultivation, coupled with the ample resources provided by the peak.
However, even with such achievements, Jin Ling'er showed no hint of arrogance before Chen Mu. In fact, throughout the entire Qiuan Sect, whether the younger generation or the predecessors, no one had the qualification to boast in front of Chen Mu. Even a dazzling talent like Zhou Hao would pale in comparison.
"Well done. Cultivation requires diligence. Since you've chosen the Martial Dao, don't waste your natural talent."
Chen Mu spoke softly to Jin Ling'er.
Chen Mu was indeed impressed by Jin Ling'er's talent, which was a natural-born physique. With regular cultivation of a Skin Tempering technique and a Muscle Cultivation method, she could naturally push these two stages to their limits and develop a robust body.
If he had Jin Ling'er's physique, Chen Mu's progress in Skin Tempering and Muscle Cultivation would have been much faster.
No.
If he truly possessed such a physique, he wouldn't have spent so much time in the lower ranks. This 'limitless strength' physique would have caught the attention of capable individuals, who would either recruit him directly into their sect or, more likely, have the Qiuan Sect's annual disciple selection process choose him, allowing him to enter the Qiuan Sect for cultivation.
If he had started his cultivation under the Qiuan Sect, his current strength and realm would undoubtedly be even higher.
Of course, Chen Mu didn't dwell on these thoughts. If given a choice, he would still choose his current path, which allowed him to meet Xiao He, Xu Hongyu, and others.
Unconsciously, Chen Mu felt his mental state subtly elevating, a sign of his spirit and Martial Dao Will strengthening. Having reached the Grandmaster realm, his spirit and body were unified, and this subtle change manifested as an even finer control over his Martial Body.
"Ask the Dao, No Return..."
Chen Mu's mental state was clear, and he understood these changes as if they were reflected in a bright mirror.
'Ask the Heart Without Regret' means questioning one's original heart, acting without regret. 'Ask the Will Without Regret' means making choices without any hesitation or regret. It signifies that even if given the chance to redo everything, one would still choose the current path without wavering.
The final 'Ask the Dao, No Return' implies that even if there were different life paths or the freedom to choose, one would still select the current path, moving forward without turning back. This is a firm answer, a commitment to one's original heart and chosen path.
Ask the Dao, No Return.
There's nothing to look back on. Rising from Yu City, meeting Xu Hongyu and others, and reaching this point, even if there were better paths, choices, or lives, he wouldn't redo it all and wouldn't care.
Mental state cultivation is a gradual and slow process. Chen Mu understood the concept of 'Ask the Dao, No Return' early on, but understanding didn't mean he could instantly achieve it. Just like everyone knows 'Bodhi Tree Has No Root, Bright Mirror Is Not a Stand,' knowing doesn't mean doing, and it doesn't guarantee entering that realm.
One must constantly question one's original heart and forge ahead to eventually ascend and transform at a certain moment.
Like a dragonfly skimming the water's surface, silent and leaving ripples that spread in a thousand layers.
Chen Mu understood that at this moment, his mental state had quietly reached the final path of Martial Dao Will. From then on, not only would his control over his Martial Body's power become more refined, but his efficiency in comprehending intentions would also greatly improve.
This mental state isn't permanent, and certain events or worldly entanglements could disrupt it. However, the longer one maintains this state, the greater the benefits, and one can become closer to nature and one's true self.
This is the ultimate mental state that many in the Blood Change Realm strive to achieve and maintain.
(End of Chapter)
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