Chapter 475
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Chapter 475: The Other Side Has Arrived, Why Need a Light Boat
Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo’s figure grew even more frail, resembling dry wood.
Yet he seemed completely unaware, only gazing intently at the girl in the Bitter Sea Light Boat.
The Bitter Sea Light Boat was translucent, shrouded in a thin layer of mist, allowing only the graceful shape of the girl inside to be seen, but not her detailed features.
"Wait, since you say this first wise one is the second type of person, different from a ‘genius’ and a ‘talent,’" Qiao Mu suddenly asked.
"Where did she come from then?"
"Mr. Qiao Shuangtu probably knows." Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo said slowly.
"I heard that at Peach Blossom Villa, even the current head of the Xue family, Xue Changhe, is there."
"In my opinion, Xue Changhe and the entire Xue family can be considered a second type of ‘talent.’"
"Originally, there was no Xue family; they have passed down their special teachings for a thousand years… This Xue family is the only one in history. They have unique qualities that set them apart from ordinary people."
"So, where did the Xue family come from, and why were they born?"
As Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo spoke, the truth of the matter became clear.
"Long Life Gate," Qiao Mu said slowly.
"Correct," Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo continued.
"Cultivators of the immortal path have long lifespans, and Long Life Gate is a group that studies the martial ways of ordinary people."
"Thousands of years have passed. In all this long time, could it be that the Long Life Gate has only produced one Xue family and one Qiao family from Heyang City?"
"What the Long Life Gate does behind the scenes is only the tip of the iceberg for us."
"They have been studying the path of mortal martial arts… rather than martial skills and techniques."
As he said this, the Sun Xuan Envoy gazed once more at the sleeping girl in the Bitter Sea Light Boat and softly spoke:
"And this first sage is the ‘Son of Martial Arts’ from the Long Life Gate, equivalent to the Taoist Child of the Immortal Gate, a culmination of the Long Life Gate’s research into martial arts over countless years."
"The founding ancestor is a naturally gifted Medicine Spirit Body, one of the best physiques among martial artists. This first sage is a top physique created by the Long Life Gate."
"As for how Martial Saint stole this ‘first sage’ from the Long Life Gate, it is a long story."
"She is a born martial artist, and when she awakens, she may become the next champion of mortal martial arts."
The Sun Xuan Envoy looked directly into Qiao Mu’s eyes and asked seriously:
"So, has Mr. Qiao Shuangtu made a decision?"
"Once the Bitter Sea Light Boat is activated, it will be completely destroyed."
"I have reached the Golden Core Stage and have hundreds of years left to live. I can continue hiding for hundreds of years. If the Bitter Sea Light Boat is moved, there will be no turning back, and no chance for regret."
"Although Mr. Qiao Shuangtu is unbeatable in the world, should he leave one last safety net, as Martial Saint wished in his lifetime?"
"Let’s go," Qiao Mu said calmly.
"If we wait longer, will we be able to cross the Bitter Sea and reach the other side?"
"Right now is the best time," Qiao Mu paused and said seriously.
"My Qiao family’s martial arts are the pinnacle of human martial arts."
"Even if you struggle for hundreds of years, no one after you will surpass them."
These grand words caused those nearby, including Founding Emperor Yan, to look over in surprise.
Although these words were full of spirit, they also made everyone feel amazed and respectful afterward.
Only Qiao Mu could say these words, as he had already become a true champion in the world six months ago.
The Qiao family behind him made the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates feel even more mysterious.
However, they did not know… where this so-called Qiao family’s skills came from, and where Qiao Mu’s confidence arose.
"Human Path Sutra," "Divine Transformation Technique," "Blood Origin Skill," "Heavenly Demon Forging Body Art"…
Every skill that the world views as part of the Qiao family did not simply appear from nowhere.
The appearance of each martial art came from countless attempts and obsessive practices in the Long Life Dream over ten thousand years.
Martial artists from the outside world who create new skills must tread carefully, like crossing a river by feeling the stones, to avoid becoming reckless and losing their way.
In dreams, Qiao Mu has died many more times than in real life.
Just half of the "Human Path Sutra," which Hai Wuya searched for his whole life and never found, if developed by the Jiu Province martial artist, would take hundreds or even thousands of years to appear.
Not to mention the "Divine Transformation Technique," which changes Spirit Refining martial artists, and skills like the "Blood Origin Skill"…
This is Qiao Mu’s confidence.
His confidence comes from over ten thousand years of accumulation.
"What can the future of martial arts a few hundred years from now compare to the progress of my martial arts?"
"Zhang Yinguo, let’s begin."
Qiao Mu stepped forward and stopped in front of the Bitter Sea Light Boat.
Sun Xuan Envoy nodded and also took a step forward.
He formed a magical gesture with his hands and chanted softly, and so the cold air in the underground secret chamber continuously rushed towards him, while the chill in the air gradually faded.
With a casual gesture, a silver thread slowly appeared from the Bitter Sea Light Boat.
Then, like frost, the Bitter Sea Light Boat had cracks rapidly spreading outward from the silver thread at its center.
With a light cracking sound.
The Bitter Sea Light Boat finally split in two, and the mist gradually vanished, revealing the true beauty of the enchanting girl inside to Qiao Mu’s eyes.
He took a quick glance inside, and his heart suddenly shook.
It was a familiar face, like a beauty stepping out of an ancient painting, unlike anything in the world.
Qiao Mu’s pupils slightly contracted, and memories flooded back in his mind.
The girl in the Bitter Sea Light Boat, "Wu Feixian," looked exactly like Qiao Canxue from before, though she was a bit younger and retained a touch of innocence.
As doubts filled her mind, the girl’s eyelids fluttered gently and then opened her eyes.
Her eyes were a peculiar shade of solid black, looking like a deep abyss that drew people in.
"Wu Feixian…" murmured Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo.
"No, perhaps I should call you… Qiao Feixian instead."
Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo let out a deep sigh.
"Uncle Zhang, what year is it now? You’ve grown old," said the girl as she looked at Zhang Yinguo.
At that moment, Sun Xuan Envoy’s hair and beard had turned as white as snow, and his body seemed to wither rapidly before their eyes.
Qiao Mu pushed aside his worries and turned to him.
"How did it come to this?"
"Mr. Qiao Shuangtu, why hold on?" Zhang Yinguo said with a faint smile.
"I formed an alliance with Martial Saint many years ago to escape the pursuit of the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates cultivator and became the Sun Xuan Envoy of the Wuji Association."
He glanced at Li Gongde and continued, "Li Gongde is different; he is the Moon Xuan Envoy of Zhong Province, who is responsible for intelligence in one region and can be considered an outsider."
"But as the Sun Xuan Envoy, I am Martial Saint’s eyes and ears. Although many people were not killed by my hands, I helped him commit many wrongs, and I have certainly created countless troubles."
"Yesterday’s actions lead to today’s results. Today, I can be free from this heavy burden, but I must also face the consequences."
Zhang Yinguo turned to look at the girl who had just awakened and continued:
"Martial Saint is dead. From now on, you will take the surname Qiao."
The girl nodded and slowly knelt before Qiao Mu.
"Adoptive father. From now on, Qiao Feixian will be your weapon. If you have any commands, feel free to use it."
Qiao Mu squinted his eyes, said nothing, and simply helped her up from the ground.
At that moment, the gradually withering Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo suddenly laughed out loud.
"Founding Emperor, you are handing over this rare and talented gem to others, the Great Yan Royal Family is struggling, and she could have been named Yan… Do you regret this now?"
Founding Emperor Yan looked at Qiao Feixian a few times, then snorted coldly.
"Zhang Yinguo, is your last wish just to provoke me one more time?"
"What a joke! All the heroes in the world are mine to command, why should I hold back?"
He stared closely at Qiao Feixian again and suddenly let out a soft sigh.
"What a delicate little girl, completely led astray by Martial Saint. Why should she become a weapon for others? Although this Jiu Province is chaotic, it is not yet time for this little girl to go into battle and carry the banner."
The Sun Xuan Envoy remained silent, his hair white as frost, skin dry and wrinkled, yet the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he softly spoke.
"It seems I did not make the wrong bet after all."
The words were spoken.
His withered body spontaneously ignited in this underground chamber, slowly turning to ash.
………………………………………………………….
"Qiao Feixian, do you really listen to me without question?"
"No matter what request, you will agree?" Qiao Mu looked at Qiao Feixian’s delicate face with playful interest.
"If the adoptive father gives an order, I naturally cannot disobey." Qiao Feixian’s pupils shook violently, but in the end, he answered calmly.
"Then I shall speak," Qiao Mu said:
"You will go to Nan Province Peach Blossom Villa, find a person named Wu Mingkong, and compare yourselves to see who is better, ideally to bring her down a notch."
Qiao Feixian was surprised, but naturally agreed right away.
Soon, she was closely following Wu Jing and Li Gongde and turned to leave.
In the palace’s garden, only Qiao Mu and Founding Emperor Yan remained.
"You are really hard to teach," Founding Emperor Yan sighed.
Then, he placed several books on the table.
"Da Yan Jue," "Causal Tracing Fist,"…
These are some new techniques created by the seventy-two wise men that Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo brought from the armory.
These new techniques may not be very powerful; although "Pure Yang Wuji Skill" and "Buddha’s Palm" that Qiao Mu practices are ancient martial arts, they still have impressive power in today’s martial arts world.
Like Wu Aotian’s "Aotian Divine Fist," many of these new techniques have unique cleverness and can serve as resources for Qiao Mu’s martial arts knowledge, allowing him to learn from them.
"Is there a return gift?" Qiao Mu was not polite and quickly read through it.
Strictly speaking, their exchange was not a trade of goods; there was no agreement, just a kind of understanding between them.
Qiao Mu often gave out techniques like "Spiritual Sound Conducting Technique" and "Divine Transformation Technique," not just to Founding Emperor Yan, but openly to everyone at Peach Blossom Villa.
However, people like Xue Changhe and Long Shankong felt they should reciprocate with a gift.
The majority of martial artists could not offer secret techniques in return or had nothing to give back.
Founding Emperor Yan’s repeated gifts were quite unique.
Qiao Mu wondered if Founding Emperor Yan was trying to compete with him in terms of gifts.
Qiao Mu opened "Da Yan Jue" and found it quite interesting.
This is an unusual martial art forbidden technique; it might not even be considered martial arts, but could be called metaphysics.
In Jiu Province, some martial arts, especially hard styles, often have so-called weak points or vulnerabilities.
For example, the whole body may be strong, but the heels and the belly button could be weak spots that, when touched, could break the technique.
However, when it comes to top-notch martial arts like the "Vajra Immortal Skill," there are truly no weak points; it is considered perfect and flawless.
The creator of the Da Yan Jue, Wu Xuan, does not share this belief.
The number of Da Yan is fifty, and the heavenly changes are forty-nine, leaving one opening for competition.
He believes that there are no completely flawless techniques in this world, and no defense that cannot be broken.
The Da Yan Jue aims for that one chance.
"This is a technique that burns the martial artist’s spirit, turning the impossible into a slim opportunity. However, it may be too mystical; even if used, it might not be effective."
Qiao Mu fell into deep thought.
Wu Xuan, the founder of Da Yan Jue, is ranked fifth among the seventy-two wise men, even above Wu Aotian, the creator of the Aotian Divine Fist.
This ranking is quite high and shows Martial Saint’s approval.
Among the other martial arts manuals, Qiao Mu found one called the Causal Tracing Fist that seemed interesting.
This fighting style is actually a counter-attack technique, which teaches to first defend, then use the opponent’s strength against them.
From this perspective, it shares some similarities with Wu Mingkong’s path of Hua strength.
Qiao Mu only skimmed through the other martial arts manuals, then closed them and stood up.
"Are you leaving?" asked Founding Emperor Yan.
"Where are you going?"
"To the Great Dao Sect," Qiao Mu replied calmly.
"Half a year has been long enough. Since I can’t find the rest of the Immortal Gates, it’s time to put an end to this."
"This matter should be settled sooner rather than later."
Instead, the appearance of Qiao Feixian has made Qiao Mu even more alert to the missing Long Life Gate, so he is preparing to end it soon.
"It seems you are truly stubborn," said Founding Emperor Yan, pouring another cup of wine for Qiao Mu, and slowly added:
"Whether it is a foster daughter or a martial arts secret, nothing has shaken your determination even a little."
He still remembered the last conversation when Qiao Mu showed his willingness to face death and his strange attitude of treating every day as if it were his last.
Qiao Mu looked at the wine cup on the stone table, seeing his own reflection in the liquid, and suddenly said:
"I have a friend named Marathon, and he really enjoys the feeling of running."
"Every time he runs, he usually goes for three or four hours, almost like running from Yan City in Nan Province to Heyang City."
"Your friend’s hobby is… quite special." Founding Emperor Yan was confused.
Qiao Mu continued to speak:
"He told me that at first, when he started running, he felt just right and very strong, so he ran easily."
"But later on, of course, he became tired. There are inns along the main road, where he can drink water and eat food to rest a little, which helps him run farther."
"But in this world, there are no immortal beings or saints, and ordinary people have their limits. No matter how much rest, it is impossible to keep running forever."
"What if my friend with the last name Ma is not heading to Heyang City, but instead, is chasing the sun like Kuafu Chases the Sun, which he can never catch?" Qiao Mu said slowly, looking into Founding Emperor Yan’s eyes.
