Chapter 7
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Chapter 7: The Divine Realm
A considerable time elapsed following You Wuxie’s exit before the duo mustered the courage to leave their sanctuary, ever vigilant for any deceit that might lure them into exposure. As dusk enveloped the land, they finally stepped forth from their hiding spots.
“Brother Zhao, may I inquire whether you are capable of contending with the beasts that dwell in these parts?” Fengyun Wuji posed his question with a hint of concern.
“I am confident in my abilities. My ascension occurred 200,000 years ago, and I have been under the guidance of my master, Tianyun Xie Jian, for an extended period. Subduing such creatures is well within my reach. However, when it comes to the demons that roam beyond the human realms, I must admit they are a challenge beyond my current prowess,” Zhao Wuji, with his sword, cleared a patch on the mountain’s crest, then gathered an array of withered branches. With a deft flick of his fingers, a spark blossomed into a dancing flame. Observing this display, Fengyun Wuji discerned that his companion had cultivated an intensely yang form of inner strength, indicating a significant level of mastery.
Having seized a brief respite, Zhao Wuji had recuperated a substantial portion of his powers. With solitude enveloping them, the two exchanged names and began a fireside dialogue.
“Brother Zhao, as a recent ascendant, I find myself enveloped in a sea of ignorance. I wonder, could you shed light on some matters that perplex me?”
“Feel free to ask, and I shall share all the knowledge at my disposal.”
“I observed that You Wuxie was in pursuit of the Xuanming Jue you possess. To the best of my understanding, the Holy Temple boasts an immense repository of martial arts. Surely, there must be some that surpass the Xuanming Jue in prowess. Why then, do you not seek these arts within the Holy Temple instead of engaging in conflict over a single scroll?”
A peculiar glimmer surfaced in Zhao Wuji’s eyes as he questioned, “Are you truly unaware, or do you feign ignorance?”
At Fengyun Wuji’s nod, he continued, “It seems your time since ascension has been exceedingly brief; otherwise, you would be well-versed in the intricacies of the Holy Temple on the Sacred Mountain. The conditions for entry are stringent, allowing but five visits in one’s entire life. Moreover, as you’ve mentioned, with an overwhelming array of martial arts to choose from, the process of selection in itself demands considerable time and effort. It must be stated that the majority of the martial arts within the Holy Temple are quite ordinary, with only a rare few that stand at the pinnacle of excellence. These superior arts are not only arduous to cultivate but also difficult to master fully, requiring exceptional talent to do so. Furthermore, some of the most esteemed martial arts were authored by renowned warriors of our era. One must ponder, would they genuinely leave behind their complete arsenal of skills within the Holy Temple? The majority of the top-tier martial arts found there are, in fact, incomplete, with their power being a mere fraction of the complete versions. There are also some radical forms of martial arts left behind, many of which are mere theoretical constructs, never even practiced by their originators. The risk of falling into a state of demonic possession while practicing such arts is alarmingly high.”
“I understand now.” Fengyun Wuji’s expression shifted to one of concern upon hearing Zhao Wuji’s words. The Nine Turns of Life and Death Profound Skill and the Sword of Thought he possessed were both acquired from the Holy Temple. Could there be potential issues?
“The martial arts of the Holy Mountain actually harbor so many flaws!!”
“Despite their shortcomings, the vast majority of the techniques are complete, and when cultivated to their peak, they can indeed rival the might of superior demons. Moreover, if fortune favors you, it is still possible to uncover some complete versions of the most exceptional arts, albeit with a very slim chance.”
“I wonder if the martial arts Brother Zhao possesses were originally obtained from the Holy Temple.” Seeing Zhao Wuji’s affirmative nod, Fengyun Wuji continued his inquiry, “There is another matter. I had always believed that once one acquires a set of techniques, the natural course would be to diligently cultivate them to perfection. In the past, when seeking a mentor, the primary goal was to obtain profound techniques. Why then, after ascension, does Brother Zhao still seek mentorship?”
Zhao Wuji heaved a sigh, lamenting the dearth of knowledge Fengyun Wuji possessed, “While your words hold truth, the complexities of this ancient era far exceed what any mortal can fathom. Let’s not even delve into the perilous state of our human race; even though everyone harbors the desire to transform our plight, the inherent malice in human hearts has obscured the vision of many. My master once said, ‘Where there is man, there is strife.’ By pledging oneself to a skilled master, one naturally gains their protection, ensuring a measure of safety. Furthermore, as you may well know from your own dimensions, the path of cultivation is riddled with obstacles. Each individual encounters numerous bottlenecks, and without guidance, one might remain stagnant for life. A mentor’s experience is invaluable in helping one break through these barriers and advance further in cultivation. Humans are not like beasts, where mere accumulation of time equates to increased power.”
“Speaking of factions, wouldn’t the Demon Realm, the Blade Domain, and the other four major forces be preferable?”
A familiar worry clouded Zhao Wuji’s expression, and after a moment of silence, he spoke with a hint of anger, “These four forces are all vying for dominance over the human race, suppressing one another. Our numbers are already few, and aside from those felled by demons and monsters, many have died due to their infighting. I have no taste for such strife, which is why I chose the path of freedom, and I refuse to join any of these factions.”
“Aren’t there any interventions? Don’t we have some highly esteemed and formidable beings? Why don’t they step in to mediate?”
“I am as much in the dark about this as many others. It’s a question that has puzzled many. If those most powerful warriors of our human race were to make an appearance, I believe no one, whether in the Snow Domain or the Demon Realm, would dare to defy them. Yet, the reality is what it is, and sometimes, it’s quite perplexing. It was only recently that an idea began to take shape.”
“Is this situation tacitly permitted?” It was Fengyun Wuji who voiced this question.
Zhao Wuji looked back at Fengyun Wuji in surprise, then quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to have heard, his eyes clouding over with confusion…
…