Chapter 382: Before the Departure

Chapter 382: Before the Departure

Chief Minister Han Kua, the Cabinet Chief, held immense power within the Great Xuan Court, second only to the Emperor himself. With the Emperor absent from court affairs, Han Kua virtually controlled the entire government, making him a highly sought-after ally among the Eight Princes.

Han Kua had yet to reveal his allegiance, and he had good reason for his confidence. He was a well-rounded individual, excelling in both literary and martial arts since his youth. Now, as one of the top figures in the Blood Transformation Realm, he had connections with several other Blood Transformation Realm leaders within the government. It could be said that he had the qualifications to sit back and watch the struggle among the Eight Princes, and whoever gained his support would be just one step away from the throne.

For Han Kua and the other top figures in the court, whoever ascended to the throne didn't significantly impact them. Therefore, they didn't have the same sensitivity towards Chen Mu as the Eight Princes did. The Chen Mu of the past hadn't reached his current realm, and although Han Kua had heard of him, it wasn't enough to cross the vast distances and initiate a connection. At that time, they were merely surprised and quickly forgot about it.

However, the current Chen Mu was different.

Regardless of how far the future Chen Mu could go, the current Chen Mu had already proven himself by repelling Yuwen Hao, the Sky Demon Ancestor. His status had surpassed that of a Grandmaster, and he could be considered one of the top martial artists standing at the pinnacle of the current era. Even though Chen Mu was a figure of great power within the Great Xuan Court, he still wanted to discuss the world's affairs with Han Kua.

"Han Kua..." Chen Mu muttered to himself.

Although he was now a part of the Great Xuan Court, he still had a general understanding of the situation. If the Eight Princes were in a state of conflict, then Han Kua represented the entire officialdom.

Unlike the Cold North, the Central State was not in a state of chaos, and official positions were not solely based on martial prowess. Civil officials were also common, and there were countless high-ranking officials. However, they all owed their positions to Han Kua's existence. Almost all high-ranking civil officials in the Great Xuan Court were Han Kua's disciples, and they also had their own clans. Together, they formed a formidable power.

However, this was the extent of Chen Mu's knowledge.

On the surface, Han Kua indeed seemed impartial towards the Eight Princes, but no one knew his true intentions in private. A figure of such power and influence in both politics and martial arts would naturally keep his true intentions hidden.

In fact, Chen Mu also wanted to discuss the world's affairs with Han Kua. After all, once he reached the pinnacle of martial arts, he would likely no longer ignore the chaotic world. Although it would be easy to conquer the world, bringing peace to the Ninety-Nine States would be a massive undertaking. He couldn't do it alone and still needed people like Han Kua to gradually restore order.

However, Chen Mu had no intention of going to the Central State at this time.

Even if Han Kua invited him to join his camp, and even if the Eight Princes wouldn't dare to act recklessly, it would all be just a superficial alliance. His understanding of the Central State was still too limited.

Although Chen Mu was not afraid of any martial artist under the heavens, not even some of the lower-ranked Celestial Beings, he still wouldn't take any risks. The Central State was a completely unfamiliar place and the center of the Ninety-Nine States of the Great Xuan Dynasty, where heroes gathered from all over the world. No matter what, he wouldn't put himself in danger lightly.

"I have other matters to attend to, so it's inconvenient for me to go to the Central State. Please convey my apologies to Lord Han." Chen Mu responded calmly.

He would eventually go to the Central State, but not now. At the very least, he wanted to further improve his martial arts before going. He didn't need to be invincible, but he wanted to be fearless against all opponents, with nothing standing in his way.

Upon hearing Chen Mu's response, neither Wei Sheng nor the accompanying officials were surprised. Only the officials' eyes showed a hint of regret, while Wei Sheng remained composed.

Chen Mu's rise to power was already well-known within the court. Born in a remote area of the Jade Province in the Cold North, he had fought his way up from the bottom, and it was understandable that he didn't trust the court's power. In his eyes, the Central State was a den of dragons and tigers.

"Imperial Eunuch Wei, you must have come here for more than just delivering Lord Han's invitation." Chen Mu turned his gaze towards Wei Sheng and spoke softly.

Although Han Kua was the Cabinet Chief, it was unlikely that he would personally invite Chen Mu to the Central State and send an Inner Court official along. Chen Mu didn't know much about the Central State, but he was aware that the Cabinet and the Twelve Surveillance Bureaus were two distinct factions.

The Twelve Surveillance Bureaus, led by the Imperial Court Protocols Bureau under Wei He, only acted according to the Emperor's orders. In Han Kua's eyes, they were abusing their authority under the pretext of following the Emperor's orders, meddling in everything and causing chaos in the court. Their relationship could be described as antagonistic.

Especially with the Emperor in a state of half-crazed consciousness and not having appeared for over a decade, the Twelve Surveillance Bureaus had become even more brazen. Essentially, Wei He was the leader, and behind him were the Eight Princes and the previous Emperor Xuan.

After hearing Chen Mu's words, Wei Sheng bowed to him once more.

This time, he opened his mouth slightly, but no sound came out. The sound was condensed into a thread and only reached Chen Mu's ears.

"Lord Chen, your insight is remarkable. I'm here not only to deliver Lord Han's message but also to bring a piece of news from a prince... The prince said that if Lord Chen intends to travel, he should be cautious of the Lord of Blood Concealment Tower."

"Also, Lord Chen may not be aware that the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion supports Prince Han. Although the Blood Concealment Tower has always had a close relationship with Prince Han, their actions are too secretive, and their exact relationship is unclear." Wei Sheng added.

In fact, Chen Mu had already learned about the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion's support for Prince Han from Liu Wan Zheng. He was also well aware of the close connection between the Blood Concealment Tower and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion.

The conflict between Chen Mu and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion was irreconcilable, almost to the point of no return. Among the Eight Princes, Prince Han, who was deeply entangled with these two factions, naturally wanted to deal with Chen Mu. It wasn't surprising that he intended to take action against Chen Mu.

Some wanted to kill him, while others sent him warnings.

Although Chen Mu was still in the remote Jade Province in the Cold North, he had unknowingly become entangled in the struggle among the Eight Princes. Chen Mu didn't like this feeling, and he didn't want to get involved with the Eight Princes.

"I understand. Please convey my gratitude for the prince's kindness." Chen Mu looked at Wei Sheng and calmly replied through sound transmission.

After hearing this, Wei Sheng finally smiled and bowed to Chen Mu. "I've delivered the message, so I'll take my leave now and not disturb Lord Chen any further."

He didn't reveal who had sent the warning, and Chen Mu didn't ask. After all, a warning was just a warning, and at most, it conveyed a gesture of goodwill. It was still uncertain whether this 'goodwill' concealed other malicious intentions.

After seeing Wei Sheng and the others off, Chen Mu stood in the grand hall, deep in thought.

Qi Zhiyuan stood quietly nearby, not disturbing Chen Mu. Only when Chen Mu lifted his head did Qi Zhiyuan approach, saying softly, "The court, the cabinet, the twelve bureaus, and the eight princes all have their eyes on you now. What are your plans?"

"No need for worries, embrace change with unwavering resolve."

Chen Mu turned to Qi Zhiyuan and calmly replied, "The Seven Xuan Sect shouldn't bear this burden. I will be leaving the sect soon, and you, as the head of the military, will have to handle it."

From the very beginning, he had no intention of getting involved in the struggle among the eight princes, nor did he have any interest in their power struggles. His focus was on relying on his natural talent and understanding to ascend to the pinnacle of martial arts in the fastest and safest way possible.

When that time comes,

He will be the one to judge who among the eight princes is worthy of inheriting the position. If none of them are capable, then replacing the Heaven and Earth will be as easy as turning his hand. He has never been interested in being a pawn on the chessboard; he will only be the player outside the game.

Most of the matters that needed attention have been dealt with. He has crafted the Celestial Vortex Flask, a spatial spiritual armament, and has also broken through to the Body Tempering Realm. It's about time to leave Jade State.

Lastly,

He will go and see Hongyu and the others one last time.

After this thought flashed through Chen Mu's mind, he nodded slightly to Qi Zhiyuan and took a step forward, disappearing from the hall, leaving only Qi Zhiyuan to gaze at Chen Mu's departing figure, sighing softly after a moment.

Heaven bestows a great responsibility upon a person, but first, it must temper their will and exhaust their body. Chen Mu is now just one step away from dominating the world, but this step will be the most difficult. To take it, one must not only struggle against people and Heaven but also against oneself. Failure means destruction, while success means ruling over the world!

It seems that fate has a way of playing tricks.

The birth of the Seven Xuan Sect was due to its founding ancestor, who wanted to stay away from court disputes and not interfere in the struggle for the throne among the princes. That's why he went to the Cold North and established the sect in Jade State.

From then on, the Seven Xuan Sect stayed away from court disputes and never intervened in political affairs. Even though the sects in the Cold North and the court in the Central State had intricate connections, the Seven Xuan Sect had the least involvement, and it didn't even have a branch in the Central State, choosing to remain in a secluded corner.

This philosophy has been passed down.

The early Seven Xuan Sect, by closing its doors in Feng Province and not participating in the disputes among the states of the Cold North, wanted to avoid being entangled in any conflicts. It preferred to stay in Jade State, finding solace in its seclusion. If not for the coercion of Blood Concealment Tower, Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, and other sects, the Seven Xuan Sect might have remained closed off to this day, neither venturing out nor allowing other sects to enter.

However, in a chaotic world, there is no pure land. Blood Concealment Tower, Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, and other sects eventually forced their way into Jade State, as if fate was playing tricks. It was their intrusion that prevented the Seven Xuan Sect from remaining secluded, and in Yu Prefecture, amidst the conflicts between the four sects, Chen Mu rose like a dazzling meteor streaking across the sky.

Now,

The Seven Xuan Sect can no longer remain secluded.

Chen Mu's existence has destined the Seven Xuan Sect to become a part of the grand scheme of the world. If Chen Mu can dominate the world in the future, the Seven Xuan Sect will rise alongside him, becoming the court's orthodox sect, flourishing for hundreds or even thousands of years.

If Chen Mu fails to take that step and perishes, his former enemies, like the Mystical Mechanism Pavilion, will never reconcile with the Seven Xuan Sect. Even if the sect manages to preserve its lineage, it will likely no longer be able to hold onto Jade State.

The Seven Xuan Sect sought seclusion in the Cold North, in this remote Jade State.

However, this attempt at seclusion has ironically made it the focal point of this chaotic era, potentially deciding the grand scheme of the world and attracting the attention of all under heaven. It seems that those who seek seclusion are drawn into the spotlight, while those who strive for it may not attain it. Such is the way of fate.

Given the situation, Qi Zhiyuan naturally has no room for wishful thinking. On the one hand, he can only hope that in the future, after several decades, Chen Mu will truly surpass the Blood Transformation Realm and dominate the world, allowing the Seven Xuan Sect to flourish. On the other hand, as the head of the sect, he must think of other ways to preserve the sect's legacy.

...

Chen Mu didn't know what Qi Zhiyuan was thinking, and he had no intention of interfering in the Seven Xuan Sect's affairs. After leaving the main hall of Great Mysterious Peak, he headed back to Spirit Profound Peak, quietly returning to its summit.

As he walked towards the bamboo forest where Xu Hongyu lived, he sensed something and his eyes flickered with surprise. He then turned his gaze towards the bamboo house in the distance.

"Hongyu has also reached this step."

Chen Mu paused and spoke softly, then took a step forward and quietly entered the bamboo house.

Inside, he saw Xu Hongyu sitting cross-legged on a simple bamboo bed, with her five hearts facing the sky. Her internal energy surged within her, and the essence of her five viscera was being infused into her six organs.

Xu Hongyu was at the bottleneck of the Six Organs Realm.

It had been several years since she entered the Five Viscera Realm, and the usual process of tempering the five viscera typically takes three to five years. With ample resources, it can be even faster. Many cultivators stay in the Five Viscera Realm for a longer time to deepen their understanding and establish a stronger foundation for the Six Organs Realm. However, Xu Hongyu had no such intentions.

Chen Mu had once obtained the Ground Origin Lotus Seed, which Xu Hongyu had consumed at the most critical moment, allowing her to comprehend the second step of the Kan Water Intention. Although she had only reached the second step in one aspect, it was sufficient for her to enter the Six Organs Realm, as the Kan Water Intention is inherently profound.

In the version of the book, there is no mistake!

However,

Xu Hongyu had only completed the tempering of her five viscera seven times.

This may seem impressive, second only to some of the sect's direct disciples, but her talent still fell short in comparison. It was only with the help of numerous spiritual treasures provided by Chen Mu that she was able to complete the seven temperings.

Although seven temperings may not seem like much, it was sufficient for her to break through the bottleneck of the Six Organs Realm. With some auxiliary spiritual treasures, the process of breaking through would be much easier. According to Chen Mu's estimation, she had at least a sixty to seventy percent chance of success.

Even if she fails, by accumulating essence and trying again, her chances would increase to eighty percent, and then ninety percent the next time. After all, at her age, it is inevitable that she will enter the Six Organs Realm and won't be stuck at the threshold.

"The method is not wrong."

Chen Mu, the only person in this era to have cultivated the Six Organs Realm to its limits, had an unparalleled understanding of it. As he stood before Xu Hongyu, his gaze penetrated her clothing and skin, observing her internal state. He nodded slightly.

(End of Chapter)

Xu Hongyu was likely attempting the Six Organ Realm for the first time. After all, during their previous intimate moments, Chen Mu hadn't sensed any subtle changes in her six organs. Even if she couldn't break through the bottleneck on her first try, there would still be some traces left behind.

However, Xu Hongyu wasn't acting on a whim or taking things lightly. It was evident that she had a deep understanding of the Six Organ Realm and was making a serious attempt. Despite her slight unfamiliarity, her method was flawless.

Chen Mu had planned to bid farewell to Xu Hongyu and the others and leave Jade Province, but upon witnessing her attempt at the Six Organ Realm, he briefly pondered and decided to stay for a little longer. Although breaking through the Six Organ Realm was relatively risk-free with the right method, he still wanted to be there to support her.

Time flew by.

Xu Hongyu's attempt at the Six Organ Realm went exceptionally well. The first five organs posed minimal obstacles, and she passed through them with ease. It was only at the final San Jiao Gate that she encountered a real challenge.

After all, her five viscera had only been tempered seven times, and her blood energy and essence qi paled in comparison to Chen Mu's in his prime. Moreover, this was her first attempt, and by the time she reached the San Jiao Gate, her essence qi was already at its limit. The exhausted essence qi repeatedly gathered and attempted to break through, but each time, it failed to awaken the San Jiao spirit, preventing the six organs from uniting as one.

"Just a little more."

Chen Mu had been observing Xu Hongyu's condition and knew that she had reached a critical point. Without external assistance, it seemed impossible to pass the San Jiao Gate, and her attempt would likely end in failure.

Chen Mu had various methods to help Xu Hongyu break through the Six Organ Gate, and he could even intervene directly. However, these methods would force her growth, and if he did so, although she would enter the Six Organ Realm, it would make it much more challenging for her to break through the Mystic Gate and enter the Bone Marrow Washing Realm in the future.

However, there was one method without side effects.

He couldn't directly use his essence qi or other external forces like spiritual treasures to help Xu Hongyu awaken the San Jiao. While it would allow her to enter the Six Organ Realm, the San Jiao's activity would be far inferior to the other five organs. But if he used the Yin-Yang Circulation Method to guide her essence qi with his own, he could provide her with the necessary assistance... In simpler terms, it was the dual practice method of the Joyful Union Sect!

Conveniently, this method posed no burden for Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu. Yin-Yang union was a natural and orthodox path, but the Joyful Union Sect often used a one-sided extraction method, which, combined with societal biases, led to its classification as a demonic sect.

"Red Jade, I'll assist you."

Chen Mu stepped forward and whispered in Xu Hongyu's ear.

The Six Organ Realm attempt didn't require complete isolation from the outside world, and Xu Hongyu was aware that Chen Mu had been protecting her throughout. At that moment, a strand of her essence qi was struggling at the San Jiao Gate, repeatedly trying to enter without success. Hearing Chen Mu's words, a slight ripple appeared in her heart, and she immediately felt a pair of hands caressing her shoulders, gently removing her outer garment.

"The Yin-Yang Circulation Method follows the natural order and is the only method that won't affect your future cultivation after entering the Six Organ Realm. But you'll need to focus on two things at once. I'll assist you slightly, so just relax."

Chen Mu's fingers gently slid down Xu Hongyu's spine, causing her clothing to fall away layer by layer.

Although Xu Hongyu's eyes were closed, she knew what Chen Mu was doing. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, but her mind remained calm and serene, focusing on controlling her essence qi to accumulate and circulate.

"Hmm..."

As she felt her body floating in the air, like a cloud drifting towards a mountain peak, being pierced by its summit, she couldn't help but hum softly. Her thoughts momentarily became chaotic, but then Chen Mu's fingertip touched her brow, and a cool sensation calmed her restless mind.

Xu Hongyu's cultivation had reached the Five Viscera Realm, allowing her to attempt the Six Organ Realm. Her temperament was sufficiently refined, and with Chen Mu's assistance, she immediately calmed her mind and used the Yin-Yang method to circulate her essence qi through her limbs and bones. After nine complete rotations, a complete nine-fold cycle was formed, and the originally weak essence qi gradually regained its vigor.

Subsequently, without hesitation, Xu Hongyu's intention merged with her essence qi, and the concentrated essence qi surged towards the San Jiao Gate. After three consecutive attempts, the bitterness turned to sweetness, and the San Jiao awakened with a faint glow, finally being roused.

With the San Jiao spirit awakened, the six organs within her body united as one and completely connected with the energy of the five viscera. Xu Hongyu finally crossed the threshold of the Six Organ Realm and stepped into the Six Organ Realm!

Six Organ Realm.

Even in Jade Province, this achievement granted her a position of power and status. Crossing the Six Organ Realm and becoming a grandmaster was a feat rarely achieved in the entire province, with only one or two individuals accomplishing it in a decade.

The Six Organ Realm was already the limit for most martial artists. Even someone like Meng Danyun, with her true cultivation, would find it extremely difficult to become a grandmaster without the right opportunities and insights.

After years of arduous cultivation, she finally broke through.

Xu Hongyu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes, gazing at Chen Mu's face with a hint of joy and delight in her heart. "Husband, I've succeeded."

"Hmm."

Chen Mu looked at the jade-like beauty before him and smiled. "You would have eventually passed the Six Organ Gate, and I merely helped you do it sooner."

It was precisely because of his mastery of the Heaven-Earth Body that even a simple Yin-Yang union and essence qi circulation provided a significant boost to Xu Hongyu's essence qi. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been easy to help her break through the realm.

Chen Mu gently embraced the beauty in his arms, intending to put her down, but she suddenly hugged him back.

Xu Hongyu whispered in Chen Mu's ear, "Husband, I've entered the Six Organ Realm, so there's no need to worry about blood essence depletion..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Chen Mu already understood her intention. After all, Xu Hongyu was his wife, and she had wanted to bear children for him long ago, but he had refused, not wanting her cultivation to be delayed.

No wonder Xu Hongyu had chosen this time to attempt the Six Organ Realm, especially when she refused to give up despite repeatedly failing to pass the San Jiao Gate. Now, it was clear what was on her mind.

Chen Mu's assistance provided her with the perfect excuse.

Chen Mu could understand Xu Hongyu's feelings, especially since he didn't know when he would return from this journey, which was far more perilous than previous ones.

"If that's what you want, then let's give it a try."

Chen Mu finally responded softly.

(End)

Chapter end