Chapter 483: The Disciples' Return, Shaking Old Man Xiao

Chapter 483: The Disciples' Return, Shaking Old Man Xiao

After a brief reunion with Wan Tianlin, Xu Yan prepared to continue his journey, crossing the border and returning to the Qinghua Realm. Having been away for so long, he missed his master.

"This Demon Race..." Old Man Xiao frowned, his gaze fixed on various places in the Nine Mountains Realm, especially the direction of Lingzun Mountain. The spiritual beasts there seemed different, carrying a unique aura he had never encountered before. It must be the demonic energy of the Demon Race.

No matter how he looked at it, something seemed amiss.

Why had the Demon Race suddenly appeared in the Tai Cang Celestial Realm? When he had first heard the name, he had assumed it was merely a new name for the spiritual beasts, a power created by them. But now, it seemed there was more to it.

The Demon Race had transcended the realm of ordinary spiritual beasts. The rumors of their ability to ignore spiritual beast bloodlines and cultivate like warriors, improving their demonic arts, didn't seem to be baseless after all.

With this thought, Old Man Xiao grew restless.

The Demon Race seemed like a huge potential threat, and it was highly likely that it was influenced by the Unchanging Land, prepared to invade the Tai Cang Celestial Realm.

"The Demon Race, founded by Chi Cat. I never expected that big cat to make the Demon Race so formidable," Xu Yan said with a smile.

"You know about the Demon Race?" Old Man Xiao asked, his face full of surprise.

"And who is this Chi Cat?" Xu Yan chuckled. "Chi Cat is a tiger my master raised. You could also call it a fat cat. My junior sister fed it a lot of pills, and it also comprehended the Grand Demon Martial Arts that my master transmitted to it."

"Speaking of which, I'm also the Supreme Lord of the Demon Race."

Chi Cat was a tiger with a good sense of the times—a clever cat that knew how to please Xu Yan's mother. It was a cultured tiger that had been taught literacy by his mother.

Old Man Xiao's eyes widened, and he felt extremely unsettled.

Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and Jiang Buling—these three monstrous talents had the same master, and now it seemed that even the Demon Race was connected to Xu Yan's master!

The founder of the Demon Race was actually a pet raised by Xu Yan's master?!

For some reason, Old Man Xiao felt that there was an invisible hand within the Tai Cang Celestial Realm, controlling everything and driving the changes in the world. Or perhaps it was guiding the changes.

And this invisible hand seemed to belong to Xu Yan's master!

At this thought, Old Man Xiao couldn't wait to meet Xu Yan's mysterious master and find out who this person was.

"Let's see who you are and who's plotting all this," he thought.

Xu Yan had boasted about his master's power, but Old Man Xiao wasn't convinced. He didn't think Xu Yan was lying; instead, he believed that Xu Yan's master was exaggerating and misleading his young disciple. In Old Man Xiao's opinion, Xu Yan was also a victim of deception!

"I know all the lords of the Seven Celestial Realms, and even if you're a strong person from the Unchanging Shrine, your strength is far from terrifying enough to cause such a reaction." Old Man Xiao scoffed inwardly.

Xu Yan's master was quite the braggart, unable to handle the consequences of a single name's cause and effect.

What a joke!

"Let's go back to the Qinghua Realm!" Xu Yan didn't go looking for Chi Cat but instead returned directly to the Qinghua Realm.

Crossing the border and stepping into the familiar Qinghua Realm, Xu Yan and his companions couldn't help but marvel at the changes. The spiritual energy was denser, and the heavenly mechanisms were more active. Moreover, the entire Qinghua Realm had undergone a transformation.

The city where the border was located had been expanded several times over and was now protected by layers of large formations. Outsiders could not cross the border without permission.

Not even an Immortal Sovereign could do so!

"The fourth junior brother's formation skills have improved significantly. This large formation can easily destroy an Immortal Sovereign!" Xu Yan exclaimed.

"Indeed!" Meng Chong nodded in agreement.

"It's Sword God Xu Yan who's returned!"

"And there's Sky God Meng Chong!"

"That must be Spear Demon Jiang Buling!"

The warriors in the city were instantly abuzz with excitement.

Sword God Xu Yan, Sky God Meng Chong, and Spear Demon Jiang Buling—all three were renowned figures with deep connections to the Qinghua Sect. They were all disciples of the Qinghua Daoist Master!

At that moment, Old Man Xiao's eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Is this the Qinghua Realm?" he asked.

Among the thirty-six realms of the Divine Domain, the Qinghua Realm was a frontier realm bordering the Spirit Realm. It naturally had thinner spiritual energy and fewer heavenly mechanisms than the other realms.

However, the current Qinghua Realm boasted denser spiritual energy and more active heavenly mechanisms than the other thirty-five realms. What shocked Old Man Xiao even more was that the Qinghua Realm seemed to have broken through the upper limit of the Immortal Sovereign Realm!

"What kind of technique is this?" he wondered, sensing the grand formation at the border. This was yet another method he had never seen before.

It was as if an invisible force, no, a power born of some sort of rule, enveloped the Qinghua Realm, causing it to stand apart from the rest of the world.

The most noticeable sensation was that while the other realms of the Divine Domain were trembling, the Qinghua Realm remained steady, without a hint of the earth-shaking vibrations felt elsewhere.

"This is a grand formation, set up by my fourth junior brother," Xu Yan explained as they traveled.

"A grand formation?"

Old Man Xiao was astonished and doubtful at the same time.

"Yes, an array formation. My fourth junior brother cultivates the Qimen Martial Way, which includes Qimen diagrams, formations, artifact refining, and restrictions!"

As they journeyed, Xu Yan explained things to Old Man Xiao.

The more he heard, the more shocked Old Man Xiao became. He couldn't help but ask, "Did your master teach you all this?"

"Of course!"

Xu Yan nodded reverently.

"I cultivate the Pure Martial Way. My second junior brother cultivates the Physical Body Martial Way, my third junior sister cultivates the Elixir Medicine Martial Way, my fourth junior brother cultivates the Qimen Martial Way, and my fifth junior brother cultivates the Extreme Soul Martial Way."

"As for Chi Cat, that pet cultivates the Great Demon Martial Way. My master taught all of us."

"Each of these Martial Ways is unique. And these Martial Ways of ours are also called the Great Desolate Martial Ways. Of course, my master didn't come up with this name, but he approves of it.

"My master's cultivation has already reached a level close to the Grand Dao. Every action he takes, no matter how ordinary it seems, contains profound truths of the Grand Dao.

"If you can understand even a bit of it, it will be an immense opportunity for you!"

Old Man Xiao's scalp felt numb as he listened. Xu Yan's master was so terrifying that he taught a different Martial Way to each of his disciples, and every one of these Martial Ways was incredibly powerful, bordering on monstrous.

His heart wavered for a moment, but then he firmly reaffirmed his inner beliefs. "It's impossible. How could there be such a powerful being in this world? Even the one from the Unchanging Shrine couldn't achieve all this.

"But Xu Yan, Meng Chong, their Martial Ways are truly extraordinary. I've never heard or seen anything like them before."

Old Man Xiao couldn't help but ask, "How did you cultivate your Sword Dao?"

Xu Yan's Sword Dao was so profound and mysterious that it exceeded Old Man Xiao's understanding of martial arts.

"Of course, it was passed down to me by my master," Xu Yan replied.

A reminiscent look appeared on Xu Yan's face as he said, "My Sword Dao and the Dragon Subduing Palm, they were both taught to me by my master. In my eyes, the Sword Dao practitioners of the Tai Cang Celestial Realm haven't even entered the door of the Sword Dao yet!"

"How so?"

Old Man Xiao felt a little uncomfortable.

After all, he too was a Sword Dao cultivator, even if he wasn't a pure Sword Dao practitioner. One of his martial arts secrets included the Sword Dao.

"Do you know the state of an illuminated sword heart? Do you know the heart-sword realm? Do you know sword intent?"

Xu Yan wore a proud expression on his face.

Old Man Xiao's current strength might be superior, but when it came to the Sword Dao, he was far behind.

Then, Xu Yan proceeded to explain the concept of an illuminated sword heart, leaving Old Man Xiao stunned and bewildered, feeling that it was extremely profound.

"How does one achieve an illuminated sword heart?"

Old Man Xiao finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Xu Yan pondered for a moment before answering, "To achieve an illuminated sword heart, the first and most important thing is to cultivate one's mental state. As long as you can touch upon a state of mind with no thoughts of women, you will be able to comprehend the illuminated sword heart."

After all, that was how he had tempered his mental state back then.

"No thoughts of women?"

Old Man Xiao was dumbfounded.

"Are you sure?"

Looking at Du Yu'ying and Yun Miaomiao, Old Man Xiao expressed his skepticism about Xu Yan's words.

Was this young man playing a trick on him?

Xu Yan's face turned serious as he said, "Of course!"

Fixing his gaze on Old Man Xiao, Xu Yan solemnly said, "My master said, 'No thoughts of women in the heart, cultivation like a divine being.' This state is profound and mysterious. It's about having no thoughts of women in the heart, and yet not having no thoughts of women. It's a state of mind that you won't understand!"

Old Man Xiao was left bewildered by Xu Yan's words, and he muttered to himself, "I truly don't understand!"

He couldn't help but ask, "Your Sword Dao is so powerful. Have you truly reached a state of no thoughts of women in your heart?"

Xu Yan nodded affirmatively and said, "Of course! I've long since reached that state of mind and have broken through that mental barrier!"

Old Man Xiao looked at Du Yu'ying and Yun Miaomiao again. These two women were exceedingly charming and beautiful. He couldn't help but retort, "And you call that having no thoughts of women?"

Xu Yan glanced at him disdainfully, "Your comprehension is too poor. You're destined to never enter the realm of the Sword Dao!"

"My comprehension is poor?"

Old Man Xiao stroked his beard, feeling indignant. "Then tell me, if you have no thoughts of women in your heart, what's the meaning of this?"

Xu Yan sighed and said, "You're truly foolish. Having no thoughts of women in the heart doesn't mean having no women by your side!"

Old Man Xiao was left speechless, unable to believe that Xu Yan could interpret things in such a way.

"It's about your state of mind. You won't be able to comprehend this profound state of mind, but it's already difficult enough for you to cultivate to your current level of strength!"

Xu Yan shook his head and sighed.

"The disciples will be back soon."

Li Xuan wore a smile as he anticipated the return of his disciples, who were all on the cusp of breaking through to the next level.

This meant that he could now impart martial arts beyond the realm of Li Dao.

"Once they break through the Li Dao realm, their foundation will truly be solid."

Li Xuan raised his head, his gaze piercing through the heavens and falling upon the hazy, unchanging land beyond.

"The strength of the Unchanging Shrine's experts is indeed formidable, but if I can elevate myself beyond the Li Dao realm, I should be able to surpass them."

According to his assessment, once he transcended the Li Dao realm, his strength would undoubtedly surpass that of Tai Cang.

Even though Tai Cang was dead, the Tai Cang Heaven and Earth still existed, indicating that the strength of the Unchanging Shrine expert was limited, or that Tai Cang had used some method to severely injure them.

"A Realm Lord, now that's interesting."

Li Xuan sat leisurely in his chair, awaiting the return of his disciples and the Realm Lord-level expert, Shuo Lao.

With his current strength, subduing a Realm Lord would be effortless.

"I won't need the Ancestral Ring anymore. Let's give the Heavenly Way Imprint a try and let you experience the true meaning of the Heavenly Way!"

Li Xuan mused to himself.

Cai Ling'er attended to him by his side.

"Master, I'm back!"

Xu Yan returned, his demeanor respectful and joyful.

"Greetings, Master!"

Meng Chong and Jiang Buling followed Xu Yan and bowed to their master.

"Mhm."

Li Xuan nodded with a gentle smile.

Aside from the father and son pair of Xie Tianheng and Xie Lingfeng, all the familiar faces had gathered.

This included the relatively less familiar Xin Mengrou.

Wu Tiannan's extraordinary fate was indeed unusual, but Li Xuan didn't say anything about it, as he knew that Wu Tiannan's unusual fate was connected to his martial arts guide.

"Greetings, Senior!"

Du Yu'ying and Yun Miaomiao excitedly paid their respects.

"Greetings, Senior!"

Wu Tiannan and Xin Mengrou also bowed respectfully.

"Big Brother, Second Brother... Fifth Brother!"

Su Lingxiu rushed over.

"Third Sister!"

Fang Hao soon joined them, hurrying to catch up.

The siblings were overjoyed to be reunited.

Zi Yun also arrived, attaching herself to Meng Chong and brimming with excitement.

The courtyard was filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion, while Shuo Lao stared at Li Xuan, his brows furrowing in confusion and disbelief.

This man before him looked ordinary, like any commoner. He exuded no aura of a powerful expert, sitting there calmly with a beautiful and ethereal Sea Spirit Tribe woman by his side.

It was precisely because of this that Shuo Lao was so perplexed.

Xu Yan's master was definitely not an ordinary person and was surely powerful, perhaps even stronger than him.

And yet, with his own strength, he couldn't see through Li Xuan at all, which implied that Li Xuan's strength might very well surpass his own!

What shocked Shuo Lao even more was that he didn't recognize this man!

Among the strong experts of the Tai Cang Heaven and Earth, there wasn't a single one he didn't know or hadn't met!

But this man was a complete stranger!

If he had come from outside their world, how could he have entered the Tai Cang Heaven and Earth so silently and unnoticed?

Moreover, why hadn't the Tai Cang Heaven and Earth shown any reaction to his presence? All signs pointed to something unusual!

He couldn't see through Li Xuan at all, not even a bit!

Shuo Lao took a deep breath, his expression turning solemn as he stepped forward, his aura gradually revealing itself.

Xu Yan and the others immediately noticed, and the courtyard fell into a brief silence.

"I am Shuo, may I ask who you are..."

Shuo Lao asked, his tone serious.

Li Xuan's smile remained unchanged, as he twirled a jade scepter in his hand, "Young man, there's no need to be hasty. A cultivated martial artist should always maintain a calm mind, unperturbed by external influences."

His tone was casual, as if he were teaching a child.

Shuo Lao's face darkened, and his aura grew more intense.

"I, Shuo Lao, am no longer young. Your attitude..."

Before he could finish, a hand gently rested on his shoulder.

It patted his shoulder twice, as if it were no big deal.

"Little friend, calm yourself. Just because you've taken on the appearance of an old man doesn't mean you're truly old. In my eyes, everything in this world is but an infant, and you are no exception."

Shuo Lao's heart was in turmoil!

He hadn't even noticed the hand approaching, and what was more terrifying was that the aura he had gathered dissipated the moment the hand touched his shoulder.

Furthermore, a vast and profound might, so deep that it couldn't be fathomed, gently settled upon him, as if it were also weighing upon his soul.

It settled gently, but to Shuo Lao, it felt like an ant facing the might of the heavens!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end