https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-491-The-Fall-of-the-Heavenly-Calculator-the-Tribulation-Approaches/13028112/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-493-Half-Step-to-the-Divine-Realm-/13028126/
Chapter 492: Dark Clouds
Chapter 492: Dark Clouds
In the past, a martial practitioner achieving the Grand Mastery of Marrow Washing was a significant event for any sect, worthy of celebration.
When Chu Jing Su first stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, he held a banquet on Spirit Profound Peak, inviting guests from all directions and his old friends. However, it coincided with the opening of the Ice State Abyss, so Chen Mu did not attend.
As for Chen Mu's own breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm, due to various reasons, not only did he not hold a banquet, but he even tried to conceal the news as much as possible.
"Husband, after some time, I want to return to Yu Prefecture for a visit."
After responding to the congratulations from all sides, Xu Hongyu turned her gaze back to Chen Mu and spoke softly beside him.
Unbeknownst to them,
She had been away from Yu Prefecture for almost ten years.
Perhaps Chen Mu didn't have a strong attachment to Yu Prefecture, but for her, it was still her hometown. In the past, due to various reasons, she couldn't return to visit old acquaintances in Yu Prefecture, but now that she had achieved the Grandmaster Realm, and Chen Mu had become the invincible Martial Saint renowned across the world, there was no opponent under the heavens. Even if she left the Seven Mysteries Sect and returned to Yu Prefecture, there would no longer be any sect threats like the Mystic Pavilion.
"Hmm, it's good for you to go back and take a look."
Chen Mu nodded slightly at Xu Hongyu.
He had been to Yu Prefecture many times and visited some old friends in the Yu family, even sending longevity-prolonging spirit treasures to Yu Jiujiang. However, Xu Hongyu hadn't returned for many years. Now that she had become a Grandmaster, ordinary bandits and thugs were like ants to her, and no one dared to harm her.
Nevertheless, to be extra cautious, Chen Mu reached into his pocket and quickly took out a dark jade crystal. He then held it with two fingers, infusing it with Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy. In a short moment, he refined it into a Heaven and Earth Stone.
"This is the Heaven and Earth Stone, containing my Primordial Energy. Its explosive power is enough to annihilate any Grandmaster, and it can even withstand attacks from the Blood Replacement Realm. Keep it with you at all times. Although there's no one under the heavens who dares to harm you, it's better to be safe."
Chen Mu handed the Heaven and Earth Stone to Xu Hongyu.
In the past, Qin Mengjun could refine the Heavenly Seal, which could withstand a single strike from a Grandmaster, as her protective item. Now, Chen Mu could casually refine the Heaven and Earth Stone, capable of annihilating all Grandmasters and defending against attacks from various Blood Replacement experts.
This not only contained more powerful Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy but also held a unique and mysterious quality. It carried a trace of his 'Soul Imprint,' allowing even ordinary people without martial cultivation to activate it freely.
This was some of the mysteries he had grasped after completely mastering the first two layers of the Soul Refining Technique with the aid of the system panel.
Yes.
After more than two years, with the help of the system panel, he had fully mastered the first two layers of the Soul Refining Technique.
Having gone through Blood Fire Soul Refinement and Heavenly Fire Soul Refinement, his soul core power had almost completely transformed into an immortal soul core, and the divine light had already covered ninety percent of his soul.
However, the more he refined his soul core, the more challenging it became. The 'Heavenly Fire' refined in the second layer could no longer be further tempered. If he wanted to completely transform the remaining soul core, he would have to master the third layer of the Soul Refining Technique.
Previously.
Xiao He felt an inexplicable sense of authority in him, as if his temperament had become more profound. This wasn't an illusion; it was indeed a subtle change brought about by the increasing power of his soul core.
Now, his soul core had become even stronger. Although his thoughts could resonate with heaven and earth, he could only perceive a range of three hundred and sixty li. This seemed to be the limit of what mortal strength could encompass. However, the power of heaven and earth he could command had grown even greater. If he wished, the force he unleashed with a mere gesture could span a thousand li! This was an unimaginable might, akin to a mythical ability!
After all.
Even a Celestial Being, at most, could communicate over long distances and transmit their voice across a thousand li. Their power couldn't spread beyond that distance. But now, Chen Mu could command the forces of heaven and earth across a thousand li, almost like a deity!
However, Chen Mu himself knew that he was still far from reaching the Divine Realm.
Only after mastering the third layer of the Soul Refining Technique, and completely tempering his soul core into an immortal divine soul, could he be considered to have one foot in the threshold of the Divine Realm. Only then would he truly be able to touch upon the mysteries of the Divine Realm. At present, he was merely a fledgling in comparison.
While he could command power from a distance of a thousand li, it was limited to that range. The power of heaven and earth he could command was enough to handle at most a single Grandmaster, and he was still helpless against the Blood Replacement Realm.
"Okay."
Xu Hongyu took the Heaven and Earth Stone and glanced once more into the distance. She spoke softly to Chen Mu, "I want to bring Yao'er with me, to introduce her to our old friends."
Chen Mu scanned the area with his gaze and saw Chen Yao running towards them in the distance. Chen Yao had grown significantly and was now seven years old. Due to her robust and abundant energy, she appeared even more mature than most girls her age, looking like a ten-year-old. Her delicate face resembled Xu Hongyu more and more, and her eyebrows carried a hint of Chen Mu's demeanor.
(End)
"Father!"
Chen Yao ran towards the purple bamboo grove and upon spotting Chen Mu, she immediately cried out joyfully and rushed over to him.
Although Chen Mu had spent most of his time within the Seven Mysteries Sect, he had been secluded in a forbidden area for the majority of those years, rarely emerging. In the past two years, he had only left seclusion a handful of times, and each time, he would accompany her down the mountain, either to explore the markets or travel the mountains and rivers.
"Yao'er is here."
Chen Mu, with a gentle expression, picked up Chen Yao and affectionately held her for a while before handing her over to Xu Hongyu.
When Chen Yao learned that Xu Hongyu was going down the mountain and intended to take her along, the little girl became excited. Although she had practically become a 'Little Demoness' within the Seven Mysteries Sect, she had rarely left the mountain. Every time she went down, it was always with Chen Mu, and they would only stay for half a day. She yearned for the vibrant world outside the mountain.
Chen Mu took out a Heaven-Earth Stone necklace he had crafted earlier and placed it around Chen Yao's delicate and tender neck, gently patting her head as he said, "This time, you'll go with your mother to meet the seniors over there and pay respects to your maternal grandfather."
"Mm-hmm."
Chen Yao held the necklace in her small hands and nodded vigorously.
Even though she had become a 'Little Demoness' within the Seven Mysteries Sect, her intelligence far surpassed that of her peers. Even at the age of six or seven, she possessed the wisdom of a teenager in their early or mid-teens. She had a basic understanding of many matters.
Regarding the Yu family's situation, although she hadn't personally experienced it, Xu Hongyu had told her everything. However, her favorite stories were those about Chen Mu. In her eyes, Chen Mu was the unparalleled hero of the world.
Xu Hongyu watched Chen Yao's actions, her eyes filled with warmth, and her thoughts fluctuated as she remembered her own childhood. She had been the same age, always clinging to her father, Xu Yichuan, who had spoiled her just as Chen Mu did with Chen Yao.
Now, the little girl who had once followed her father was now a mother herself, and she watched as another little girl clung to her father.
If Xu Yichuan were still alive, he would surely be delighted to see this scene.
Xu Hongyu couldn't help but look up at the sky, and in that moment, she seemed to glimpse her father's figure once more. Over the years, his image had faded in her heart, sometimes to the point where she couldn't even recall his appearance. But after entering the realm of Marrow Washing Sages, as her soul core became more refined, many of her past memories became clearer, and the scenes from the past were vividly imprinted in her mind.
"This is your first time down the mountain after many years up here. You should take the opportunity to travel and explore. I still need to stay in the sect to cultivate, so I won't be able to accompany you this time, but I'll keep an eye on you both."
Chen Mu spoke to Xu Hongyu.
As he spoke, a sense of wonderment filled his heart. Ever since marrying Xu Hongyu, they had been apart more than together, especially in recent years, when he had barely spent any time with her, mostly devoting himself to cultivation.
People only knew him as the invincible Martial Saint, but they had no idea how arduous his cultivation journey had been. Although it might not compare to the struggles of others, it was still a path of tireless dedication and relentless effort.
"Husband, I know you strive to forge ahead and pave the way for the future of martial arts, but you are already the Martial Saint of this world. Perhaps you don't need to work so hard." Xu Hongyu looked up at Chen Mu with gentle eyes and spoke softly.
Chen Mu had cultivated his martial arts to an invincible level, becoming the undisputed number one in the world. Yet, he still secluded himself daily. Xu Hongyu understood some of the reasons for his diligent cultivation—he wanted to explore the path of martial arts and catch a glimpse of the divine realm beyond martial arts. But in her opinion, this pursuit might not be so urgent, and his current cultivation was already too arduous.
After all, transcending the heavens and earth was not something that could be achieved overnight. It was a long and arduous journey, and Chen Mu, as the Martial Saint with no equal in the world, didn't need to be so tense."
But upon hearing Xu Hongyu's words, Chen Mu shook his head slightly, looking up at the sky, he said, "No, it's not that simple. Red Jade, you've never stood where I am, so you can't sense what I do. But during this period of constant cultivation, my heart has always felt a vague sense of gloom, as if some impending danger is drawing near."
As he spoke, a deep and profound look appeared in his eyes.
At his current level, his thoughts were in harmony with the heavens and earth, and there was no room for misconceptions. This premonition was a result of the subtle changes in this piece of heaven and earth, which had somehow triggered his senses.
Book Bar
However, he was completely unaware of the specifics. Even when he fully integrated his soul with heaven and earth, and tried his best to perceive karma through them, he still couldn't find the reason, and it even made the hint of gloom in his heart slightly heavier.
This was definitely not an ordinary demon catastrophe.
Chen Mu was well aware of this.
"Calculating the time, the next 'Eternal Night' is not far away. Even if it's a disaster of Eternal Night, it shouldn't be a problem for me. What could have possibly changed..."
Chen Mu muttered to himself.
At his current level, he could sense natural disasters like droughts and cold calamities with a single thought, and he could even disperse disasters in an entire region with his own strength! Therefore, even for rare disasters like the 'Two Suns in the Sky' or the once-in-a-century 'Eternal Night', he could predict them in advance. It was no big deal; it was just a matter of the Yin-Yang cycle, with either an excessive Yang or an extreme Yin. These disasters couldn't threaten him, even if accompanied by demon catastrophes. Even a tenth-rank demon king couldn't stir up a wave in front of him.
But that vague feeling he had wasn't wrong.
Especially as he cultivated the Soul Refining Technique and his soul became stronger, that premonition grew more intense.
"Is that so?"
Xu Hongyu was a bit surprised as she looked at Chen Mu.
She had thought that Chen Mu's diligent cultivation was due to his innate nature, coupled with his yearning to transcend heaven and earth. But now it seemed there was more to it. After all, Chen Mu's realm was so profound that he could see what she couldn't.
"Mhm."
Chen Mu nodded slightly, "But there's no need to worry too much. As the saying goes, 'Disaster brings fortune, and fortune hides disaster.' This land has nurtured life for countless years, from the Primordial Era to the present. Our human clan has occupied these lands and developed to the point where we've even touched upon the path of 'Transcendence'. It's reasonable that this has attracted tribulations."
"No matter what form this tribulation takes, we'll do our best. In the vast scheme of things, all living beings have a glimmer of hope. With me in this world, even if heaven and earth collapse, I'll hold it up with my own strength."
He spoke with calmness, without any particular emphasis, but his words instilled an inexplicable belief.
That tall and slender figure, not particularly robust, but at this moment, standing there, seemed incredibly tall, as if he could match the heavens and earth, supporting the sun and moon with his own body! Xu Hongyu stared at Chen Mu, momentarily dazed, a little lost in thought. Even though they had known each other for many years, and she had even given birth to a daughter with Chen Mu, and had herself reached the Grandmaster realm, at this moment, listening to Chen Mu's casual words, she still felt touched, her eyes shimmering like water.
"Yao, come over here."
On the other side, Xiao He quietly called out to Chen Yao, and they left the Purple Bamboo Grove, leaving it to the two of them.
...
This time, Chen Mu didn't return to the forbidden area to seclude himself. Instead, he stayed at the Spirit Profound Peak for three full days.
On the morning of the fourth day,
Xu Hongyu, along with Xiao He, Chen Yao, and others, arrived at the mountain gate of the Seven Mysteries Sect.
This time, those planning to accompany Xu Hongyu included not only Xiao He and Chen Yao, but also Chen Yue, who had just returned the day before.
Compared to taking care of Chen Yao, Xu Hongyu had been staying on the mountain. After Chen Mu achieved the Martial Saint realm, Chen Yue often went down the mountain to train. Now, she was still in the Six Viscera Realm, solidifying her foundation and pursuing the Marrow Washing Grandmaster realm.
However, most of her previous training had been near the capital of Jade Province, and she had never gone far or returned alone to Yu Prefecture. After leaving Yu Prefecture for many years, she also had a longing for home, so it was convenient to accompany Xu Hongyu.
On the mountain path.
Chen Mu walked with Xu Hongyu, Chen Yue, and others.
On both sides of the road, the guardian monks of the Seven Mysteries Sect respectfully bowed and carefully made way, retreating to the sides.
"I'll see you off here. This visit to Yu Prefecture won't be too long."
After walking a bit further, Xu Hongyu turned back towards Chen Mu.
Chen Yao also waved her small hand at Chen Mu, saying, "Daddy, wait for us to come back!"
"Okay."
Chen Mu looked at Chen Yao with a gentle gaze and waved back at her.
Then, he stood tall before the mountain gate of the Seven Mysteries Sect, seeing Xu Hongyu and the others off as they descended the mountain and left. He stood there, motionless, until he could no longer see them in his line of sight, before finally turning around and disappearing with a flash.
The guardian monks on both sides of the mountain gate remained standing respectfully, only letting out a slight sigh of relief after Chen Mu's figure disappeared. It was a long time before they straightened their bodies, still maintaining a respectful demeanor, not daring to be negligent.
(End of Chapter)
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