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Chapter 369: Sword Inquiry of Heaven and Earth
Chapter 369: Sword Inquiry of Heaven and Earth
Chen Mu paid no heed to Jiang Changsheng and the others' attitudes; his gaze was fixed on the last rare artifact, the 'Chaos Essence', as he sensed that it couldn't be collected by ordinary means.
The Chaos Essence, in its very nature, represented extreme chaos and disorder. Any ordinary attempt to come into contact with it would either result in erosion and transformation into chaotic disorder or cause it to lose its chaotic state, leading to immediate dissolution.
"The Chaos Essence cannot be collected by ordinary means; one must isolate the Heavenly Earth Power and restrain it with a domain." A voice reminded Chen Mu.
"Is that so?" Chen Mu responded calmly, glancing sideways to see the speaker—the Absolute Blade Tuoba Xi, clad in a black robe.
At some point, Tuoba Xi had also approached and was staring intently at Chen Mu. Jiang Changsheng could guess Tuoba Xi's thoughts; his heart was filled with tumultuous emotions.
In the past, Tuoba Xi had never cared about Chen Mu, a mere youngster. Even when Chen Mu ranked among the top three on the Wind and Cloud Rankings, Tuoba Xi remained unconcerned. As the Absolute Blade, he was a domineering figure who disregarded even the top Grandmasters.
But Chen Mu had entered the Bone Marrow Purification Realm!
This made all the difference.
The reappearance of a Grandmaster from the Heaven and Earth lineage was a rare event; there had only been ten such Grandmasters since the founding of the Grand Proclamation World. In the future, this Grandmaster would undoubtedly become an invincible figure among Grandmasters, capable of touching upon the power of Blood Exchange!
"A Heaven and Earth Grandmaster... Hey, it's actually a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster..." Tuoba Xi's eyes burned with intensity, and a surging blade intent erupted from the depths of his pupils.
He no longer cared about the Void Crystal or the Heaven-Patching Stone; as the top Grandmaster in the Eleven Northern Provinces, he was nearing the end of his Grandmaster lifespan. There was almost nothing in this world that concerned him anymore, except for the Absolute Blade in his hand.
He wanted to use this blade to challenge the Heaven and Earth Grandmaster!
Before Tuoba Xi could make a move, a boundless and majestic sword intent soared, causing the many Grandmasters in the area to shift their astonished gazes towards Jiang Changsheng.
"You've cultivated to the Heaven and Earth Grandmaster realm. No one in this world will underestimate you in the slightest. I, too, will no longer consider you a youngster. It's rare to have the opportunity to face a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster, so let my Eternal Sword inquire about the Heaven-Earth Seal."
Jiang Changsheng's eyes remained calm as he pointed his sword at Chen Mu.
Although he was proud, he wasn't arrogant. If Chen Mu had already become an invincible Absolute Grandmaster, dominating the world, he wouldn't attempt to challenge the Heaven and Earth with his Eternal Sword, as he knew his sword was still a step away from that level.
But Chen Mu was only in his thirties, and even though he had become a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster, it was likely a recent achievement. Although he had just entered this realm and was already on par with top Grandmasters, this was the perfect moment for Jiang Changsheng to challenge the Heaven and Earth with his sword!
This was an opportunity!
Jiang Changsheng understood this in his heart.
Meeting a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster was already an extremely rare occurrence; in the thousands of years since the Grand Proclamation, only ten had appeared. And to encounter one who had just advanced, not yet reaching the pinnacle of their cultivation, was even rarer!
This was the only chance to challenge the Heaven and Earth with his sword.
No wonder, on the eve of entering the Earth Abyss, he had a premonition that he would find an opportunity there. It seemed that all the opportunities he had encountered before were not his true destiny. Even the emergence of the Void Crystal and the other two rare artifacts were not his fate. His destiny was to meet Chen Mu, who had just attained the Heaven and Earth realm!
If he could use the principles of Heaven and Earth to validate the Eternal Sword he had cultivated throughout his life, his sword path would surely advance further, reaching the level of the Celestial Sword. And he would take a step towards Blood Exchange, becoming the unrivaled master of the sword path!
"May the Buddha's compassion..."
Empty Perception, standing not far away, joined his palms and recited a Buddha's name with a benevolent expression.
Compared to ordinary Grandmasters, these top Grandmasters, who had stood at the pinnacle in the Eleven Northern Provinces for decades, felt more than just shock upon encountering a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster who had suddenly appeared. Their hearts were filled with an uncontrollable battle intent.
Heaven and Earth Grandmaster!
Who among the martial artists of the world wouldn't want to challenge the Heaven and Earth?
The martial arts they had cultivated throughout their lives, standing at the peak among Bone Marrow Washing Grandmasters, like Jiang Changsheng, Tuoba Xi, and Empty Perception—each of them wanted their lifelong pursuit of martial arts to transcend the ordinary and reach the apex.
And even the master of the Horizon Pavilion, Hai Qianyuan, after a brief moment of astonishment, fixed his gaze on Chen Mu. Amidst the shock, a surge of indescribable excitement welled up within him.
At just thirty-three years old, the Heaven and Earth Grandmaster displayed an astonishingly peerless talent!
However, it was precisely because of such an exceptional figure's presence here that he had the opportunity to challenge the Heaven and Earth realm. If he could surpass it by a fraction, it would be a significant advancement in both mindset and Martial Will, bringing him closer to the pinnacle.
For a moment, the numerous top Northern Chill Grandmasters in the hall exuded surging auras, their eyes fixated on Chen Mu, disregarding the rare artifacts like the Void Crystal.
In comparison, the distant Luan Qiumei, Xia Yuye, and others were all in a state of shock and disbelief.
Hearing Jiang Changsheng's words,
"Chen Mu... has cultivated the Heaven and Earth realm?" Xia Yuye's eyes widened in disbelief.
Standing in the center of the hall, Chen Mu did not refute, remaining calm and composed even under the oppressive auras of the top Grandmasters. This confirmed the truth of the matter, and indeed, a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster had emerged in the Great Xuan Northern Chill region!
"He actually achieved it." Xia Yuye's gaze still held a hint of incredulity.
The previous generation's Joyful Union Sect direct disciples, the Shadow Moon Twins, all believed that Chen Mu might be the future Heavenly Mandate. They thought that investing in Chen Mu was the right choice, but Xia Yuye initially had her doubts. Ultimately, she made the decision because of Chen Mu's background and character, as he showed no discrimination towards the Joyful Union Sect and treated all beggars and martial artists equally.
However, to everyone's surprise, Chen Mu had indeed achieved it, and at the young age of thirty-three, he had entered the Grandmaster realm. This was not just about becoming a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster but also being one of the youngest Grandmasters of his generation!
At this age, entering the Marrow Wash Realm...
A thought crossed Xia Yuye's mind as she gazed at Chen Mu in his plain robe, calmly facing several top Grandmasters. Her body trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but wonder if he was truly the chosen one of the Heavenly Mandate.
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is." Liu Tong, also looking towards the center, muttered in astonishment.
No wonder Chen Mu could roam freely in the Han County and even kill Bone-Piercing Marquis, a Grandmaster himself. Now that Chen Mu has entered the Marrow Wash Realm, everything makes sense. Cultivating the Heaven and Earth realm to the Grandmaster level, even at the initial stages of Marrow Wash, with the Martial Body just beginning to form, is beyond the reach of ordinary Grandmasters. Only the top Grandmasters can challenge such a realm.
In the hall, Chen Mu was examining a mass of Chaos Essence. If the Eight Aspects of Heaven and Earth represented the extreme of 'order,' then this mass of Chaos Essence was the extreme of 'disorder,' two distinct extremes that sparked numerous insights within him.
It was only when he felt the surging sword intent from Jiang Changsheng, pressing down from the side, that he finally slightly averted his gaze, turning to look at Jiang Changsheng, clad in a long blue robe.
Jiang Changsheng, the Northern Chill's top Grandmaster, was an elder of the Celestial Sword Sect and the master of Gu Hong, a direct disciple.
In the past, Jiang Changsheng had seen him, but he had never seen Jiang Changsheng. His reputation had always been shrouded in rumors. Even in his early years, Gu Hong had already made him feel pressured, let alone Gu Hong's master, the renowned Eternal Sword, a top Grandmaster who dominated the Eleven Northern Provinces and was an enigmatic figure.
But now, after more than a decade of arduous cultivation, step by step, Jiang Changsheng had surpassed his peers, leaving Gu Hong, Zuo Qianqiu, and others far behind. He had finally reached the same level as Jiang Changsheng.
Chen Mu turned to Jiang Changsheng, his eyes calm as he scrutinized him for a moment, absorbing his Eternal Sword intent. Then, with a gentle shake of his head, he said, "There's no need to challenge the Heaven and Earth realm. Wait until you've undergone Blood Exchange, and then we'll see."
It wasn't meant to be humiliating.
Nor did he lack interest in the Eternal Sword.
The gap was simply too vast, rendering the challenge meaningless. At the peak of Yunni Heavenly Peak, he had used the Heaven and Earth Sword to wield the Xuan Tian Sword Diagram, and indeed, he had the qualifications to challenge Jiang Changsheng then. But not now.
Challenging him now would be like charging at a copper pillar, resulting in certain death... In the end, Jiang Changsheng was once a match for Qin Mengjun, who has now entered the Blood Exchange Realm. He didn't want to break Qin Mengjun's Eternal Sword.
Qin Mengjun also needed opponents to hone her Martial Arts.
However, when Chen Mu's words reached Jiang Changsheng, a top Grandmaster.
However, Chen Mu's words, when heard by Jiang Changsheng, caused his face to turn cold.
He wanted him to wait until after he had undergone Blood Exchange?
Was this a way to shame him?
Was this implying that Qin Mengjun, after a decade of struggle, had finally broken through and entered the Blood Exchange Realm first, while he was still stuck in the Marrow Wash Realm, unable to take that step forward?
"Is this how Qin Mengjun instructed you?" Jiang Changsheng looked at Chen Mu indifferently and said, "You've broken through the Mystic Gate and achieved the Heaven and Earth realm, but if you underestimate the world because of this, it's not invincible Martial Will, but arrogance and conceit. Martial Arts is about understanding others and oneself. Since it's like this, I'll take Qin Mengjun's place and instruct you once."
Qin Mengjun had entered the Blood Exchange Realm, not Chen Mu!
Even if he had cultivated to become a Heaven and Earth Grandmaster, Jiang Changsheng still considered him a peer, but such words were indeed too rude.
Humm!
In the next instant, Jiang Changsheng extended his right hand, and the three-foot green blade shone brightly as the Eternal Sword appeared.
The three-foot green blade quietly fell into his hand, and in that moment, his entire being seemed to merge with the sword, entering the domain of the Sword Dao and the Martial Body of the Sword. His sword intent was clear and penetrated the heavens and earth.
Jiang Changsheng.
He was born with ailments and frailty, his body weak and bones soft. He spent most of his childhood soaking in medicinal baths, only learning to walk at the age of seven. Later, a wandering Taoist gave him the name 'Changsheng', and with his refined Qi and blood, he gradually grew stronger.
At the age of ten, he touched the sword, and at twelve, he understood the power of the sword. He joined the Celestial Sword Sect, where he faced setbacks in the outer sect, losing sword duels and enduring humiliation. After countless hardships, he entered the inner sect, only to lose again, be rejected in love, and suffer further defeats... For five years, he wallowed in depression until one day, he suddenly achieved enlightenment in a thatched hut, mastering the Heart Sword and becoming the top disciple of the inner sect. He was then accepted as a true disciple, and after failing to comprehend the Celestial Sword, he first cultivated his heart, then his body, and finally trained in the mortal world. Through these experiences, he refined his sword intent, ultimately merging them into a unique whole, forging his own Eternal Sword Dao.
This sword.
It had endured countless setbacks, breaking countless times, and bearing countless scars. But every crack, every fracture, was transformed into a polish for this sword, until it became the Eternal Sword of today.
This sword was swung towards Chen Mu, but it was not aimed at him alone. It was a strike towards the Heaven and Earth, a question posed by Jiang Changsheng to the vast realm. It was a strike he had long wanted to make, one he had always yearned to execute.
In his eyes.
Chen Mu was no longer just a human figure; he had seemingly transformed into the vast Heaven and Earth. And Jiang Changsheng, after weathering countless storms, finally stood at the peak, brandishing his unyielding sword towards the Heaven and Earth.
At this moment, regardless of Hai Qian Yuan or Empty Perception, even Tuoba Xi, their eyes all changed.
They almost all felt the uniqueness of Jiang Changsheng's strike, as if it finally embodied his own will, achieving the true unity of the mind, body, and sword with all things. At the pinnacle, it seemed to quietly break through a gap.
"He..."
Tuoba Xi's eyes widened in surprise.
As the top Northern Chill Grandmaster, he had dominated the north for a century with his Absolute Blade. He was most familiar with Jiang Changsheng's current state, knowing that with this strike, Jiang Changsheng had completely emptied his pent-up thoughts, and the Sword Dao had quietly transformed. With a little more polishing and cultivation, Jiang Changsheng would surely join the ranks of the World-Shaking Masters.
If he could also swing his Absolute Blade with such power, shattering the heart wounds caused by Gongsheng Yu, then he too could take that step. But after a century of setbacks, he still couldn't make that strike. Could he do it?
"Jiang Changsheng, truly Jiang Changsheng."
Hai Qian Yuan focused on Jiang Changsheng's sword strike, but he sighed inwardly. This step was not just an elevation of the Sword Dao; it would also open the Blood Exchange Realm, the gateway to life and death. The future Jiang Changsheng would not only be a World-Shaking Grandmaster but would also enter the Blood Exchange Realm and perhaps even become a figure comparable to Gongsheng Yu.
With this strike, the other top Northern Chill Grandmasters would no longer be Jiang Changsheng's match and would have to retreat.
A new Heaven and Earth Grandmaster would emerge, a new Heaven and Earth Grandmaster, allowing Jiang Changsheng to question the Heaven and Earth with his sword, to swing that lifelong sword strike. This could only be attributed to heavenly fate and Jiang Changsheng's opportunity.
Swish!
From the grand and majestic strike, the sword intent was exuberant, but when it pierced, all sharpness was restrained, transforming into an ancient and simple sword strike, devoid of any worldly aura.
It was like an ordinary mortal, after enduring pain and torment, thrusting a sword towards the heavens, seemingly only venting inner resentment, without any apparent power, even the sword's edge was so plain.
This sword finally reached Chen Mu's face.
Ding!
A faint sound from the sword.
Chen Mu's index and middle fingers came together, gently clasping the sword's edge between them.
Similarly, it was unremarkable, without any grandness, like a simple hand raise, the fingers lightly clasped, restraining Jiang Changsheng's sword, which seemed to contain his entire life, causing it to vibrate but not advance.
"I take back my previous words."
Chen Mu clasped his fingers around the sword and said, "Your Eternal Sword is indeed decent."
(End of Chapter)
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