With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal-Chapter 506 - 467: Purple Cloud Dragon, Noble Heritage, Dharma Realm of the Great Emperor
"Swimming... The ability to adapt to environments is also quite helpful.
There are quite a few water attribute demon nests, especially along the southern coast, where the treasures are extraordinarily abundant."
Right beside him was the Nine Dragon Pool, and Meng Chuan dived down to experience it.
As soon as he opened his mouth, his lungs could extract oxygen from the water, as if he had developed "fish gills."
The special trait triggered a mutation in his body, truly marvelous.
Whoosh...
Meng Chuan shot through the water like a torpedo and then leaped ashore.
Not only could he breathe underwater, but his swimming skills had also improved significantly.
[Swimming] might not enhance his comprehension or combat ability, but it was indeed very useful, improving his survival capabilities in extreme environments.
You must know that even the body of a Martial Arts Grandmaster after four mutations.
They could only hold their breath for a long time, not grow "gills" like him...
The second ability [Turtle Shell], Meng Chuan didn’t even need to test to know.
It felt as if an invisible turtle shell grew on his back, only manifesting when attacked.
As to why there’s a difference in its resistance to two types of forces, it’s quite understandable.
Just like the shell on a turtle’s back in reality.
A sharp sword piercing or slashing wouldn’t easily break the defense, but a blunt hammer blow would shatter it...
...
At night, in Zhao Shousui’s house.
"Let’s wait a little longer, Xiaomeng, we had a True Man meeting on the mountain today, and Zhao Chentuan sent a message that he will be exiting seclusion soon."
[True Man] is a title for the fourth limit practitioners in Daoist sects.
The True Man meeting is essentially a Martial Arts Grandmaster meeting.
Seeing Meng Chuan anxious, Zhao Shousui specially called him to his house to inform him after the conference.
"Uncle Master, tell me the truth, besides practicing martial arts, do you at Wudang also cultivate immortality and refine Qi?"
Meng Chuan couldn’t understand, what kind of martial arts practice requires seclusion for months, yet Breaking Seven reportedly doesn’t need that long...
Zhao Shousui replied speechlessly:
"...How could there still be Qi in this world? What immortal cultivation would we be doing?"
Zhao Shousui thought for a moment and decided it was fine to tell Meng Chuan.
He continued to explain:
"I just learned that during this period, Chentuan was communicating with the Great Emperor while in seclusion."
"Entering the Dharma Realm?"
"I don’t know the specifics, but he hasn’t left Yuxu Palace at all, accompanying the Great Emperor day and night."
Upon hearing this, Meng Chuan recalled the trick that Old Taoist Monarch Wuyang had demonstrated at the Eight Immortals Martial Shrine.
Zhao Shousui said proudly:
"Only the devout, those with the strongest vitality among the True Martial disciples, can form an incense link with the Great Emperor.
Among the Four Celestial Kings of Wudang, the Song Creek sect head excels in both fist and sword, with the most powerful combat strength.
But if the head can draw upon the Great Emperor’s power, his combat strength could be immeasurable, either close to or matching the Great Saint, or even exceeding him! It depends on how much power the Great Emperor grants."
Meng Chuan was astonished:
"That’s so powerful!"
"That’s exactly how powerful it is!"
He then recalled the martial arts competition at Tianshan Mountain being suspended and mused:
"So, the head went into seclusion to seek the help of True Martial Great Emperor?
Uncle Master, does Wudang have some big move planned next, perhaps attacking the ultimate darkness?"
"...You kid, don’t make wild guesses, we didn’t discuss that at the meeting."
Meng Chuan nodded in acknowledgment.
Since Taoist Monarch Chentuan was utilizing the "sect’s backing," it certainly wasn’t a trivial matter.
It couldn’t be a coincidence that two major events were happening simultaneously.
Therefore, whether it was Chentuan’s seclusion or the suspension of the Tianshan martial arts meet, it was all preparation for one matter.
"Could they really be planning to attack the ultimate darkness?"
A strong sixth sense told him he might have guessed it...
As for who to attack?
He looked towards the [Nation Task System] list of tasks, all seemingly pointing towards Jin Province.
And most crucially, a series of Taihang Mountain exploration tasks...
In Meng Chuan’s heart, he already had the answer.
Knowing this, what benefit was there for himself?
Getting involved in the siege on the Mountain Whisper seemed entirely unrelated to him...
He was merely at the second limit, probably not even qualified to spectate.
"How to utilize this situation to take down Fang Jianxing, or ensure his escape is impossible, is what I should be contemplating..."
With this thought, Meng Chuan began to form a plan.
...
In the days following the True Man meeting, Meng Chuan observed the overall atmosphere of Wudang Mountain.
His observations showed that everything remained as it was, with not a word of news.
Indeed, there wasn’t even a sound of thunder or rain.
Logically speaking, with Wudang’s abundant moisture, dense vegetation, and strong transpiration effect.
Coupled with seasonal factors, it should be quite rainy during this period.
Yet, ever since he climbed the mountain, not a single rain had fallen, which seemed rather eerie...
Meng Chuan speculated that it likely had something to do with the head’s seclusion...
In any case, all abnormal phenomena were blamed on him.
During this period, apart from practicing martial arts, he would occasionally borrow a couple of Daoist scriptures to read in the [Imperial Scripture Pavilion].
Since in the future, he planned to practice [Black Tortoise Refiner True Body], and even the Undying Grand Dao Scripture.
Understanding some Daoist principles could be extremely advantageous without any harm.
However, the complexity of the Daoist scriptures was sometimes no less than the Buddhist sutras.
Frequently, several words individually made sense to him.
But when grouped together to form terms, he was completely baffled...
For instance, this sentence:
"Qi Offering, not truly external ritual adept, delving deeply, cautiously anxious."
Zhang Jingshi was busy teaching martial arts, so he would consult Wang Ye.
After all, Wang Ye was also a proper Daoist priest, and surely well-versed in these matters.
Sometimes, he would even ask Wudang’s [Purple Cloud Dragon], Zhao Haizhen for guidance.
Ever since they sparred once, Daoist Zhao was still not entirely convinced.
After Meng Chuan made several more moves, it could be said that they came to know each other the hard way...
Today, at Wang Ye’s courtyard.
While practicing martial arts and regulating his breath, Meng Chuan raised a Daoist scripture and brought up this topic.
Wang Ye thought for a moment, then said:
"Hmm...this...it’s about being careful during sacrifices, to avoid attracting external evil spirits, which are the Celestial Demons."
"...Really?"
Meng Chuan shook his head, feeling that Wang Ye’s explanation was too vague, and it might be more thorough to ask Zhao Huanzhen.
Purple Cloud Dragon is still somewhat higher in Daoist level than Wang Ye...
"Brother Meng! My Cloud-Separating Sun-Catching Hand has reached Perfection, and I’ve come to seek your guidance!"
Speak of the devil, and here he comes.
Before seeing him, they heard his voice.
Before Meng Chuan and Wang Ye could open the door for him, a figure leapt down from the wall.
The indigo Martial Emperor robe he wore was washed to a faded white, and his stance was as straight as a green bamboo.
His left eyebrow had a missing part, resembling a light scar.
The newcomer was indeed Zhao Huanzhen Daoist, the Purple Cloud Dragon from Wudang.
He was born in the same year and month as Meng Chuan, just turning twenty, and is also a second-limit Martial Arts Grandmaster.
Zhao Huanzhen flicked his sleeve, clasped his hands together with a smile, and said:
"Brother Meng and Junior Brother Wang Ye, please witness and see how I wash away my shame today."
"Sure, let me see how you’ll embarrass yourself."
"...Junior brother, you must have confidence in senior brother."
Wang Ye replied speechlessly:
"Not very confident."
Meng Chuan, standing to the side, shook his head and gestured with one hand:
"Daoist Zhao, please, make it quick."
...
"Ah!"
Five seconds later, Meng Chuan sent Zhao Daoist flying into a tree with a Mountain-Breaking Earth-Shaking Fist.
He clapped his hands, feeling quite pleased:
"Boundless Heavenly Venerates... the War Soul space cleaned up by the crazy monk, coming out to hammer a small Daoist, very delightful indeed..."
Zhao Huanzhen jumped down from the treetop with a dusty face.
The ninth defeat.
Wang Ye, acting as the referee, said speechlessly:
"Daoist Zhao, please don’t disgrace Wudang anymore."
Yanhua next door and the two true successors from Eastern United University struggled a bit before being ’defeated.’
Zhao Huanzhen being knocked down by two punches was truly disgraceful.
However, it’s not entirely his fault.
In terms of skill and talent, Zhao Huanzhen isn’t inferior to Zheng Chengcheng and Chen Xuan.
It can only be said that his timing of challenges was off.
If he had challenged when Meng Chuan had just advanced, he might have lasted a bit longer.
He might have even witnessed the ten-meter Giant form...
But there are no ifs, as Meng Chuan’s Qi Blood now approaches thirteen thousand.
A punch from him now is several times more powerful than when he just advanced.
It’s safe to say, even without unlocking his liberated state.
Not many within the second limit can match him, including peak grandmasters.
Zhao Huanzhen, listening to Wang Ye’s teasing, laughed with a slight snarl...
"Boundless Heavenly Venerates, Junior Brother Wang’s words are so heartfelt, how about I duel you, have at you with my sword!"
With a swift reverse grip, he drew the Cyan Wave Sword, producing a piercing whistling sound pointing at Wang Ye.
He is also slightly known for his ’dual mastery in fist and sword,’ thanks to his master, the head of Songxi Sect, Zhang Jingshi.
After the commotion, the three stood in the horse stance together.
Meng Chuan noticed Zhao Huanzhen’s left eye was a bit bruised, his doing.
Wang Ye, on the other hand, had both eyes bruised, naturally Zhao Huanzhen’s doing...
Meng Chuan withheld his laughter and said:
"Daoist Zhao, if you wish to spar in the future, I’ll gladly accompany you."
"I won’t continue, nine is the extreme number for Wudang, going beyond is excessive."
Wang Ye explained on the side:
"Brother Meng, he means he’s convinced, he’s conceded."
Before Meng Chuan could speak, Zhao Huanzhen once again drew his sword:
"Boundless Heavenly Venerates, I just dueled Junior Brother Wang once, it seems I still need to complete nine times, on guard!"
"..."
Meng Chuan stood by silently, as if watching a monkey show.
A moment later, when both eventually calmed down, he finally asked:
"Have either of you ever been to the Dharma Realm of the True Martial Emperor?"
Zhao Huanzhen:
"I have, when I broke through Martial Arts Family and was crowned Purple Cloud Dragon, I met the Emperor twice."
Wang Ye boasted proudly:
"Of course, I’m a genuine third-generation Wudang native, born and raised in Wudang; when I was young, the Emperor even held me, unlike someone from out of town, who just..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Huanzhen once again drew his sword...
"Both of you calm down, let’s talk business."
With Meng Chuan’s words, the two didn’t cause any more trouble.
He knew, Wang Ye failed as the Purple Cloud Dragon not because of spirit, but his mouth wouldn’t admit it...
Seeing the two quiet down, Meng Chuan asked again about the scenery within the Dharma Realm, and how the Emperor imparted skills?
Zhao Huanzhen chuckled and said:
"Brother Meng, it’s a pity you don’t worship the True Martial Emperor, otherwise, if you could glimpse it, you’d never forget it for life.
The Emperor’s Northern Pole True Martial Palace is surrounded by auspicious clouds and a thousand auspicious energies, with two generals, Turtle and Snake, guarding by the sides, and golden boys and jade maidens attending near. The imparting of skills and decrees are handled by them, while the Emperor sits silently within the palace."
Wang Ye nods, adding:
"Outside the Emperor’s palace, there are thirty-six heavenly generals and five hundred guardian spirits in formation, preparing. Above the firmament, five divine dragons—the Eastern Azure Dragon, Southern Red Dragon, Western White Dragon, Northern Black Dragon, and Central Yellow Dragon—escort, majestic as they swirl in the sky."
