Chapter 521: Three Years
Chapter 521: Three Years
Time flies, and seasons change like the blink of an eye.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Deep within the Purple Bamboo Grove on Spirit Mystic Peak, Chen Yue sits cross-legged on a protruding rock, dressed in a white robe.
Time has passed, and the little girl who once relied on Chen Mu for survival and warmth has now reached her forties. She is a renowned female hero in Yuzhou, ranked on the Wind and Cloud List!
Following Chen Mu's teachings and guidance, Chen Yue didn't rush to improve her cultivation realm. Instead, she focused on refining and solidifying her foundation. During an incident in Shachuan involving a Celestial Devil, she was blessed in disguise, as the encounter with the Celestial Devil stimulated her Martial Dao will. Her dormant soul essence fully awakened. Soon after, within a few short years, she comprehended the Martial Domain!
Throughout her Five Viscera and Six Bowels cultivation process, Chen Yue had access to numerous resources provided by Chen Mu. Her Five Viscera cultivation involved ten tempering sessions, and her Six Bowels cultivation far exceeded that of a typical Clan Heir.
Regarding her true talent, she was slightly inferior to the Clan Heir. However, this didn't hinder her from making up for it through hard work and sufficient resources. As the saying goes, possessing two out of the three elements of talent, luck, and effort is already the pinnacle of human achievement.
Chen Yue could have attempted to break through to the Marrow Washing Realm long ago, but she chose to solidify her foundation for future progress. Today, she has finally reached the limit she intuitively felt, and it is time to challenge the Mysterious Gate.
"My brother, with his extreme tempering of the Five Viscera and Six Bowels, achieved enlightenment in a single attempt and attained perfection..."
A hint of emotion flickered in Chen Yue's eyes.
This was her first attempt to break through the Mysterious Gate. Most Martial Artists find it challenging to succeed in a single attempt, but Chen Yue, following Chen Mu's teachings, decided to make a remarkable breakthrough. If she was going to challenge the Mysterious Gate, she would do it with the determination to succeed in one go.
Outside the Purple Bamboo Grove,
Several figures stood tall.
As Chen Yue prepared to break through the Mysterious Gate, there were naturally people guarding the area to prevent any disturbances.
These guardians were no ordinary individuals. Among them was Xu Hongyu, who had already achieved the Grandmaster realm, as well as Jingsu Chu, the current peak master of Spirit Mystic Peak, and Danyun Meng, the deputy peak master. Most of them belonged to Qin Mengjun's lineage.
It is worth mentioning that Danyun Meng had also achieved the Grandmaster realm. As a true Clan Heir, she chose a relatively less challenging path, cultivating only two paths. With the additional resources provided by Chen Mu, she eventually succeeded in becoming a Grandmaster after several attempts.
On the other hand, Zhao Zhenchuan ultimately failed to break through the Mysterious Gate. He was older than Danyun Meng, and by the time Chen Mu became invincible and returned with abundant resources, Zhao Zhenchuan had lost his eligibility to challenge the gate. He no longer served as a guardian in the Seven Profound Sect but returned to his family's county, where he now held the position of Inspector. He had since started a family and was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
"Unknowingly, Yue has also reached this stage."
Danyun Meng gazed towards the Purple Bamboo Grove, a hint of emotion flashing across her face.
As Chen Mu's senior sister, she was well-acquainted with Xu Hongyu, Chen Yue, and others. When Xu Hongyu and Chen Yue first arrived at the Seven Profound Sect with Chen Mu, it was Danyun Meng who made the arrangements. She often provided guidance to Chen Yue, who had shallow cultivation at the time. After Chen Mu's return and Chen Yue's advancement to the Six Bowels Realm, Danyun Meng had even accompanied Chen Yue on her journeys outside the sect.
Over the years, Danyun Meng had received countless favors from Chen Mu. Although she had briefly guided Chen Mu's cultivation in the past, it was only for a short period before Chen Mu revealed his extraordinary talent, quickly surpassing her. Chen Mu had also provided her with numerous resources, even aiding her in achieving the Grandmaster realm.
Because of this, she took good care of Chen Mu's family. She had not only guided Chen Yue's cultivation but had also taken Chen Yao, Chen Yue's sister, on trips outside the mountain. Chen Yao held great admiration for Danyun Meng, whom she considered her 'Senior Aunt'.
Years passed, and Chen Mu became invincible, a Martial Saint. Chen Yue, too, had reached the Grandmaster realm.
The saying, 'When one person attains the Dao, his family benefits,' proved true. Since Chen Mu's return, sweeping through Zhongzhou and bringing back abundant resources, the Seven Profound Sect had flourished. Just on Spirit Mystic Peak alone, there were multiple Grandmasters, including Jingsu Chu, Danyun Meng, and Xu Hongyu. Other peaks also witnessed the birth of Grandmasters, such as Zhou Hao, a Clan Heir from Chen Mu's generation, who had also achieved the Grandmaster realm.
In the past, the Seven Profound Sect had over ten Grandmasters, including those with Grandmaster-level combat power like Zhou Yan. Together, they numbered less than twenty. But now, there were already over twenty Grandmasters in the sect.
In the Blood Transformation Realm, there were also two Grandmasters: Qin Mengjun and Yin Heng.
Although the Seven Profound Sect was a major sect that controlled an entire province, it wasn't particularly renowned among all the sects in the Great Xuan World. However, even without considering Chen Mu, the sect's overall strength was sufficient to rank within the top twenty in the entire world.
If the number of Grandmasters increased slightly and Qin Mengjun reached the Heaven-Reach Level, the Seven Profound Sect would become one of the top sects in the world.
"Yue has a solid foundation and abundant accumulation. Her attempt to break through the Mysterious Gate will surely be smoother than mine, and she will likely succeed quickly."
Xu Hongyu wore a plain garment, her appearance still resembling that of her twenties, with only slight differences. Her demeanor exuded a sense of kindness, maturity as a mother, and the transcendence of a Grandmaster.
"Your cousin is so impressive."
Chen Yao stood gracefully beside Ning He, who had reached the Six Bowels Realm in her cultivation. However, her progress had stalled due to her weak foundation, which was far inferior to Xu Hongyu's. Despite having access to Chen Mu's abundant resources, Ning He struggled to break through to the Grandmaster level, a feat that required more than just resources.
Ning He spoke softly, "Your cousin has been diligent and hardworking since she began her martial arts training. She toils tirelessly through harsh winters and scorching summers. Her dedication to cultivation is unparalleled, and her talent surpasses both you and your cousin. Even your mother pales in comparison. As long as you emulate your cousin's perseverance and hard work, your future achievements will undoubtedly surpass ours."
Chen Yao's talent was undeniable.
As the sole heir to Chen Mu's bloodline, she was already twelve years old, and her foundation had gradually stabilized. Her qi and blood were vibrant, and her innate talent was almost unparalleled among her peers. Having practiced the sword from a young age, she had already mastered sword techniques and even begun to touch upon the realm of intent! With such talent and the resources provided by her father, the Martial Saint Chen Mu, her future was limitless as long as she diligently cultivated.
"Mhm."
Chen Yao gazed at the Purple Bamboo Grove, nodding lightly.
At twelve years old, she looked more mature than her peers, resembling a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, like a freshly bloomed white lotus. In her younger days, she had been playful and mischievous, indulged by Chen Mu's doting nature, causing Xu Hongyu to worry about her becoming too willful. As she grew older, Chen Mu began to instruct her more strictly, and now, Chen Yao's mischievous and playful nature had gradually subsided.
Just as everyone was chatting, Chu Jingsu suddenly spoke up.
As the peak master of Spirit Mystic Peak, Chu Jingsu was among the most advanced cultivators present, and among Grandmasters, he was considered a formidable figure. With a top-tier Spirit Armament in his possession, he could even unleash power approaching that of a peak Grandmaster.
As Chu Jingsu's words fell, everyone felt the aura in the Purple Bamboo Grove shift. Chen Yue had mobilized all her qi, blood, and inner energy, gathering them into a single force and directing it towards her Crown Gate!
Hum!
The first gate to be challenged was the Body Gate, which tested one's physical prowess. While Chen Yue couldn't match Chen Mu's ability to shatter with a snap of his fingers, her solid foundation allowed her to pass this gate swiftly.
Next was the Heart Gate, which also posed no obstacle to Chen Yue. She had previously encountered a Celestial Devil in Sha County, which had tested her mental fortitude. However, after recovering, she gained a profound understanding of her heart and soul, even cultivating a Martial Domain. With her unwavering focus, she effortlessly passed through this gate and arrived at the final gate, the Heaven and Earth Gate.
At this stage, Chen Yue's aura weakened significantly, but her determination remained unshaken. She gathered her mental power and inner energy, focusing them into a single point before surging upwards.
The gate did not yield.
She tried again, but it still held firm.
Though her initial surge of energy had weakened significantly, and her third attempt seemed feeble, Chen Yue's unwavering will allowed her to gather her strength once more.
Finally,
With three surges of power, she broke through the Heaven and Earth Gate!
"She made it!"
After breaking through the barrier, Chen Yue's heart was filled with relief. Having passed the Heart Gate, Body Gate, and Heaven and Earth Gate, she had truly broken through the Mysterious Gate. The next step was to undergo the Bone Marrow Washing and achieve the Grandmaster level!
Before that, however, she had to endure the infusion of Heaven and Earth's power. During this process, she recalled Chen Mu's guidance to borrow as much power from Heaven and Earth as possible to temper her soul. Breaking through the Mysterious Gate was a rare opportunity to forge her soul with the power of Heaven and Earth.
In a quiet moment,
Chen Yue's consciousness began to rise, drawn by the power of Heaven and Earth, pulling her out of her body. For the first time, she directly faced the essence of Heaven and Earth, experiencing a purer essence than what was depicted on the Primordial Chart.
In an instant,
All else faded from her mind. Who she was, where she was, everything vanished, leaving only the essence of Heaven and Earth in her vision, captivating and bewildering.
"She's passed all three gates and is undergoing the infusion of Heaven and Earth."
Outside the Purple Bamboo Grove, Meng Danyun and the others smiled.
However, as time passed, Chu Jingsu sensed something amiss. His expression changed, and he said, "This is wrong. The infusion of Heaven and Earth has lasted too long. She's just broken through the Mysterious Gate and can't withstand this prolonged process. Continuing the infusion will do more harm than good. She should be conserving her strength now."
Even Meng Danyun and Xu Hongyu realized something was wrong.
"Could her soul be lost within Heaven and Earth? But her willpower is so strong that she easily broke through the Heart Gate. How could she become lost in Heaven and Earth?" Meng Danyun's face paled as he spoke.
---
Breaking through the Mysterious Gate was indeed dangerous. After shattering the gate, one's soul would be drawn out and exposed to the essence of Heaven and Earth. Typically, those who could break through had sufficiently refined souls and rarely became lost. Unless, like Chen Yue, they intentionally used the power of Heaven and Earth to temper their souls, prolonging the process and risking the inability to gather their thoughts, becoming entangled within Heaven and Earth!
Merging one's soul with Heaven and Earth, moving freely within it, was a feat only Heaven-Reach Experts could achieve. For those at the Bone Marrow Washing Realm, briefly experiencing this state was already dangerous. Chen Yue had clearly immersed herself for too long!
"This is bad.
"Jingsu Chu abruptly turned around and said, "Quickly, go and get Chen Shidi!"
Prolonged soul fusion with heaven and earth could lead to losing oneself and facing the risk of soul scattering. To rescue Chen Yue, only a Heaven-Human expert would suffice; even blood-transformed beings like Qin Mengjun and Yin Heng would be unable to accomplish this task!"
In the current Seven Profound Sect, the only one who has reached the Heaven-Human level is Chen Mu.
"My husband might be in secluded cultivation. I'll go to the back mountain."
Xu Hongyu also spoke in a solemn tone.
Chen Mu has been in seclusion for a long time without any news. If it's a critical moment, he might not be able to come out of seclusion. Currently, there are Heaven-Human experts at the Seven Profound Sect's back mountain, studying the Primordial Chart. Now that Chen Yue is in danger, they must invite a Heaven-Human expert to come to her rescue. Although Xu Hongyu's cultivation is low, being only a Grandmaster, as Chen Mu's wife, she has received countless blood-transformed experts and even Heaven-Human beings who have visited her. She is acquainted with several of them.
Moreover, in the current world, who wouldn't want to associate with Chen Mu? Even Heaven-Human experts can't escape this desire. They also wish to exchange martial insights with Chen Mu. When she goes to the back mountain to invite someone, those Heaven-Human experts will surely do her this small favor.
However.
Just as Jingsu Chu, Xu Hongyu, and the others were about to split up and take action, a gentle voice suddenly resonated through the forest.
"No need to panic."
Upon hearing this familiar voice, Jingsu Chu, Danyun Meng, Xu Hongyu, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.
The voice belonged to none other than Chen Mu! There was no need to invite him. Although he was in secluded cultivation in the forbidden area, studying the Void Path, his previous state of mind had merged with the void, allowing him to be well-informed about the situation within the Seven Profound Sect. He had even witnessed Chen Yue's attempt to break through the Marrow Washing Gate.
In fact, the reason Chen Yue became lost in the fusion with heaven and earth was due to Chen Mu. He had sent her a thought, reassuring her to fearlessly immerse herself in the fusion, promising his protection and eliminating any risk of getting lost.
It was Chen Mu's thought that allowed Chen Yue to instantly relax completely, casting aside all worries, and immersing herself in the fusion with heaven and earth.
At this moment.
If Xu Hongyu and the others could also project their souls, they would see that Chen Yue's soul had spread across a vast expanse of heaven and earth, as if scattering into it, on the verge of disintegration and unable to gather.
However, outside the small area where Chen Yue's soul had spread, there was an incredibly vast and enormous palm, like a vast sky, supporting this piece of heaven and earth, holding Chen Yue's soul in its palm, and protecting her scattered soul.
Finally.
When Chen Mu felt it was enough, he slightly moved his thought, and his soul power retracted, also forcibly gathering Chen Yue's scattered thoughts bit by bit, reuniting her scattered consciousness.
As her scattered consciousness gradually coalesced, Chen Yue's awareness slowly revived. She felt her consciousness being protected by a warm presence, which continuously gathered around her body, eventually returning all her awareness to her body.
"Hmm..."
Chen Yue's soul and body reunited, and she slowly opened her eyes, exhaling softly.
A gentle breeze brushed past her hair.
It was as if, many years ago, Chen Mu had gently caressed her head.
...
Deep within the forbidden valley.
Inside the valley.
Chen Mu had never left; he remained seated in the deepest part of the cave. At this moment, he shook his head slightly and muttered to himself, "No wonder they say that once the first Divine Realm expert is born in an unawakened world, the entire world will rapidly undergo an overall leap... Not to mention the changes in the rules of heaven and earth, even a Divine Realm expert can easily support others in their cultivation journey, helping them reach the extreme in various aspects."
Like his previous self, how difficult it was to refine the five viscera and six bowels to their limit. Without the system, it was almost impossible to succeed. But for the current him, if he were to support someone with all his strength, he could forcefully refine someone to the extreme of the five viscera and six bowels! Once he truly enters the Divine Realm, supporting others in extreme marrow washing might not be that difficult.
Being able to refine the viscera and wash the marrow to the extreme, borrowing the power of heaven and earth to refine the soul, the foundation for the future breakthrough to the Divine Realm would naturally increase significantly.
After briefly observing Chen Yue's situation and seeing that she was safe, Chen Mu stopped the heaven-earth infusion and walked out of the Purple Bamboo Forest to chat with Jingsu Chu. Then, he retracted his consciousness and summoned the system panel.
[Primordial Dao: Void (Initial Stage)]
[Experience: 2997 points]
"Hmm, just a little more to go."
Chen Mu couldn't help but nod as he saw the accumulation of nearly three thousand experience points in the Void Path after almost three years of contemplation. Soon, he would surpass the 'Initial Stage' and reach the 'Enlightenment' level!
(End of Chapter)
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