Transmigration After Becoming Love Saint-Chapter 574 - 191: Gu Yuqing: Master’s Man, Just So-So_5
"You, you, you... you’re that Wang Mu with a Taoist couple in the Ascension Realm?"
"So it’s him?"
"Indeed, with such a handsome face... no wonder he caught the favor of an Ascension Realm cultivator..."
"This person actually came here to cultivate?"
It seems they’d heard the name but had never seen him in person.
Not this again! Why is everyone talking about my Taoist couple in the Ascension Realm?
Wang Mu was speechless.
"AHEM!" Master Ming Yu coughed. "Given your special identity, it’s best if I escort you myself to avoid your Taoist couple coming to hold my Bishui Cave Heaven accountable. Let’s go!"
After saying that, Master Ming Yu looked at Wang Mu with an approving gaze.
She had known Wang Mu’s identity for a long time.
It’s just... As expected of a man who, even at the Golden Core Realm, has a Taoist couple in the Ascension Realm. He certainly has something special about him.
Thus, Master Ming Yu led Wang Mu away from Bishui Cave Heaven, heading toward the location where the Moon Palace was descending this time: Jade Rabbit Immortal Mountain.
"Every descent of the Moon Palace shakes the entire Li State Cultivation World," Master Ming Yu began as they traveled. "Even cultivators from the outside world like yourselves can hardly resist the temptation to come and participate. It’s just a pity that the Moon Palace is lofty and unattainable for ordinary people. As for the Fairy on the Moon Palace, how could any common cultivator even catch a glimpse of her? Year after year, cycle after cycle, the difficulty of ascending the Moon Palace is now greater than ever."
Master Ming Yu seemed energized by the topic and casually offered Wang Mu some pointers along the way. They were on an exquisitely shaped Immortal Boat, entirely water-blue. Its sails, made of some unknown fur, swayed gently in the clouds. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Wang Mu listened quietly.
The Master of Tianlu Temple had also spoken quite a bit about the Moon Palace, but hearing the experiences of a different senior would naturally help him understand it better. The Master had said he would also come in person when the time came. To be precise, when the Moon Palace descended, all the prominent great cultivators of Li State would arrive. The three great dynasties and families from all directions would gather to compete.
"That old man might have told you quite a bit," Master Ming Yu said indifferently. "However, Tianlu Temple hasn’t had any disciples participate in the most recent Moon Palace event. My Bishui Cave Heaven, on the other hand, had disciples participate. Although they didn’t make it through the first trial, they learned a great deal. Not only has no one ascended the Moon Palace, but hardly anyone even gets past the first hurdle. It can be said with certainty that all cultivators have failed at the second trial. But in truth, those who make it through the first trial are already among the top-tier great cultivators in Li State. General Yu Lin, for instance."
"The Ancient River Battlefield is the first threshold for those who wish to ascend to the Moon during its descent," Master Ming Yu explained. "In the Ancient River Battlefield, there are two forces. One possesses a limited number of Lizhou Ancestor Spirits. These Ancestor Spirits are few in number, limited in ability, and relatively vulnerable. The other side has countless Barbarian Ancestor Spirits, whose numbers are many times that of our Lizhou Ancestor Spirits. The number of their commanders, and the types of their troops and weapons, far exceed those of the Lizhou Ancestor Spirits. Among these Barbarian Ancestor Spirits are Witch Spirits proficient in manipulating minds, Child Spirits who discern truth from falsehood, Wisdom Spirits adept at strategy, and valiant War Spirits..."
Master Ming Yu’s gaze became serious. "The strengths of the two sides differ by several levels. Right now, the only way to pass through the Ancient River Battlefield is by slaying a certain number of Barbarian Ancestor Spirits."
"Just slay them? Is that all?" Wang Mu asked, puzzled.
"Don’t underestimate it. When cultivators enter the Ancient River Battlefield, they automatically transform into a Lizhou Ancestor Spirit in a Virtual Body," Master Ming Yu explained. "Our cultivation and abilities will be sealed; even Ascending Immortal Cultivators are no exception."
... Wang Mu was silent for a moment.
No wonder the Moon Palace is said to descend from the Upper Realm. Damn, to think it can seal the cultivation of Ascending Immortal Cultivators... there’s probably no place in the entire Nine States Cultivation World capable of such a feat, right?
"So, once we enter the battlefield, we’re all the same?" Wang Mu asked.
"Exactly."
"I thought we would need to lead the Lizhou Ancestor Spirits to victory," Wang Mu said, shaking his head.
"Victory?" Master Ming Yu looked surprised and shook her head. "Impossible. In the Ancient River Battlefield, the disparity in strength between the two sides is enormous. Even if we Li State cultivators enter and transform into Lizhou Ancestor Spirits, it’s still incredibly difficult to defeat the Barbarian Ancestor Spirits."
So that’s how it is, Wang Mu thought.
"Besides, the Lizhou Ancestor Spirits on the battlefield all possess remarkable wisdom," Master Ming Yu continued. "Once we’re there, with our cultivation sealed, how we utilize our own abilities becomes crucial. When cultivators are stripped of their inherent powers, how can they display their wisdom and strength in such a vast theatre of war?"
Wang Mu nodded. It certainly sounds that way.
As cultivators, they are accustomed to their own power. What would they do if they lost it all one day? Could their Taoist Heart remain steady?
"Many cultivators enter the battlefield and can’t adapt immediately," Master Ming Yu said. "Once there, they are slain by Barbarian Ancestor Spirits in the first encounter and ejected. The state of their Taoist Heart becomes immediately apparent. The trial of the Ancient River Battlefield teaches many cultivators an important lesson: our strength as cultivators lies not only in our cultivation, but in ourselves. Essentially, in my view, the Ancient River Battlefield is a crucible for tempering the Taoist Heart."
"However, it’s extremely harsh," Master Ming Yu continued. "Indeed, if one wishes to achieve Ascension, qualities like aptitude, opportunity, background, and resources are all very important and indispensable. But having a true Taoist Heart is the most important of all. When you enter the battlefield, it doesn’t matter what kind of cultivator you are; everyone is at the same starting line."
"So, the Lizhou Ancestor Spirits have never won?" Wang Mu asked.
"Never," Master Ming Yu shook her head. "Actually, during the first one or two times this threshold appeared, the requirement was for the Lizhou Ancestor Spirits to achieve victory. Unfortunately, in those years, no one even passed the first trial. Later, the Moon Palace lowered the requirements somewhat, changing it to slaying a certain number of Ancestor Spirits, which slightly reduced the difficulty. Even so, to this day, no one has passed the second hurdle... As for the third hurdle, it’s merely the stuff of legends... Speaking of which, that Moon Palace Fairy hasn’t seen any Li State cultivators for at least seven or eight hundred years..."
Wang Mu was silent.
Ancient River Battlefield... Wang Mu mused. He remembered that in the game, the protagonist needed to help Imperial Princess Xiao Li of the Li Dynasty win a pivotal battle. And the name of that battle was the Ancient River Great Victory. Hearing this now, it sounds... somewhat... similar?
