Xuantian Shangdi and the Three Teachings' Righteous Gods

"Advanced Shocking Force! Hahaha, this is Advanced Shocking Force!"

"The First Level of Three Talents Slash, 'Shocking Force Three Talents,' has finally been cultivated to mastery!"

The exhilaration of his breakthrough surged straight to Lin Zhao's crown, and he could not help throwing back his head in laughter. His voice echoed across the training ground, shaking snow from the eaves of the watchtower. He sheathed his sword, his fingertips still retaining the trembling aftertaste of his swings, and thought, With my current skills, I should be able to fight a Quasi-Martial Master head-on! What a pity I have no chance to test it—this Three Talents Slash is a battlefield killing move. Once drawn, it must see blood; I would not dare use it lightly in an ordinary spar.

It had been exactly one year since he began cultivating the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique. His technique proficiency had now reached the Second Level (4508/5000). At a rate of twenty points per day, breaking through to the Third Tier before year's end and entering the Quasi-Martial Master Realm was virtually certain.

At that point, all he needed to do was condense a Qi Seed to advance into a true Martial Master. Only then would he truly gain a foothold in these troubled times and enter the middle-upper ranks of martial circles North of the River.

Overall, the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique was far harder to cultivate than the First Level of Three Talents Slash—sword techniques could improve through grinding proficiency, but internal arts required nourishing the meridians and tempering inner strength. There was not the slightest room for haste.

Lin Zhao guessed that perhaps he had been born with a sharper sensitivity toward the sword, which was why his swordsmanship had progressed so swiftly.

"Next, I must focus everything on reaching the Third Rank of the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and strive to break through before the New Year!"

Having set his goal, Lin Zhao once more entered "hard cultivation mode": every day, he practiced breathing at Mao Hour, wore armor and trained with the sword at Chen Hour, studied the force-generation details of Three Talents Slash at Wu Hour, sparred with Zhao Tieying in combat techniques at Shen Hour, then practiced another round of breathing at You Hour. The days were repetitive, dull, even somewhat tedious, but whenever the notification of "Proficiency +1" rang out in his mind, he felt every bit of effort was worthwhile.

Three years had passed since the Battle of Jinshan between the Ming Dynasty and the northern Tatar tribes came to an end.

Though the two sides had not launched another large-scale war, border clashes had never ceased—the Tatar cavalry often raided Xuanfu and Datong Garrison, stealing grain and horses; the Ming Dynasty Border Army relied on its forts to strike back, and victories and defeats were shared between them.

In truth, everyone in court and commoner alike understood that this was not merely a conflict between two states. It was also a contest of strength between the martial forces standing behind them.

The Celestial Masters' Manor, which worshipped Xuantian Shangdi and controlled secret inner strength arts, and the Tatar Shamanic Sect, which believed in Tengri and excelled at beast-soul force, constantly incited both sides to fight over territory in order to expand their influence, hoping to spread their own martial inheritances throughout the Northern Frontier.

Yet how could that be easy? Though the Ming Dynasty was powerful, Tatar, Oirat, and Japanese Pirates watched it like tigers from the sidelines, while martial forces of every kind were tangled together like roots and branches—the Celestial Masters' Manor controlled the court's military armaments, the Shamanic Sect commanded the Tatar cavalry, and Jiangnan had Songxi Internal Boxing, a school unto itself.

All sides schemed openly and fought in the shadows, wishing to unite the martial world under one banner. It was simply as difficult as climbing to heaven.

Yet ever since these supreme forces had come into being, their mission had been to preserve martial arts. Thus, the future order of the Northern Frontier would inevitably be shaped by their struggle.

Leaving aside the border disputes, a life-and-death battle was unfolding deep within the Qixia Mountain Range, where Lin Family Fortress stood.

Amid the snow-laden dense forest, over a hundred Gray-Maned Demonic Wolves surrounded a Silver-White Giant Ape that had just awakened from hibernation. The giant ape stood nearly two meters tall at the shoulder, with an arm span exceeding four meters. It was the fiercest exotic beast of the northern mountains and forests—the Northern Snow Ape.

An adult Northern Snow Ape possessed strength enough to lift a cauldron and inner strength comparable to that of a Martial Master. Exceptional individuals could even condense Ice Soul Force and fight high-level Martial Masters without falling behind.

But the one surrounded was a female ape. Nearly thirty percent smaller than a male, her strength had only just reached the Martial Master Realm.

Had it been an adult male ape, it would ordinarily possess the strength of a Peak Martial Master and could be called the overlord of the mountains. The wolf pack would never have dared provoke it.

Before the female ape stood not only demonic wolves spread across the mountains and plains, but also a Silver-Maned Wolf King nearly three chi high at the shoulder. This was a rare mutated wolf king, its inner strength comparable to that of a near-Peak Martial Master. Even ordinary Martial Masters had to avoid its edge.

The demonic wolves were originally the Black Forest's top predators. Individually, they were far inferior to Snow Apes, but they excelled in coordinated group attacks and possessed astonishing endurance.

Their daring to surround and kill the Snow Ape this time was truly born of desperation. This spring, the female ape had entered the wolf king's territory. Not only had she seized their already scarce prey, she had also hunted and killed more than twenty demonic wolves in succession. The wolf king endured for half a year before finally taking advantage of the female ape's winter hibernation to lead its entire pack in eliminating this mortal threat.

Unexpectedly, the female ape was extremely alert. She detected the wolf pack while it was still three li away.

It tried to flee, but the Silver-Maned Wolf King predicted its route and eventually trapped it within this valley.

The encircled female ape knew she could not escape—whether in speed or endurance, she was no match for the wolf pack.

These creatures were the most patient hunters. They could wear down their prey for an entire day.

It had to end this quickly!

"Awooo—!"

The female ape let out a roar that shook the mountains and forests. Her forepaws left the ground as she rose onto her hind legs, her more-than-two-meter body towering like a small mountain. A faint white mist actually rose around her—this was the embryonic form of the Ice Soul Force unique to Northern Snow Apes. Though not yet fully developed, it still carried bone-piercing cold.

Many ordinary demonic wolves were frightened into retreating again and again. Seeing this, the Silver-Maned Wolf King threw back its head and howled at the sky, the sound stabbing through eardrums. Inner strength wrapped around that wolf howl, bolstering the courage of the pack.

As one wolf howl ended, a hundred wolves answered in chorus. The battle to the death between wolves and ape had begun!

Countless Gray-Maned Demonic Wolves lunged at the female ape without fear of death. The female ape swung its fan-sized palms down, carrying Ice Soul Force with them—any demonic wolf unable to evade in time instantly suffered shattered bones and torn sinews, unable even to cry out in the snow.

With such monstrous strength, even a Martial Master wearing Cloth Armor would have their organs shattered by one blow. Even one who had cultivated a Hard Body Technique would have several bones broken.

For survival, both sides fought with all they had. There was no right or wrong, only one purpose—to live!

After half a day of savage battle, demonic wolves crawled all over the female ape's body. Its thick white fur had been torn open with wound after wound. Blood dyed the snow beneath its feet red, dripping along its fur and pooling into dark crimson patches upon the ground.

Its movements grew ever slower. It was clearly exhausted, yet it still refused to fall, using its last strength to swat away the demonic wolves before it.

At last, after nearly forty demonic wolves had been lost, the female ape finally lay sprawled on the ground, barely clinging to life.

The Silver-Maned Wolf King, which had remained still all this time, finally made its move. Its sharp fangs clamped viciously around the female ape's neck, while the other demonic wolves surged forward and tore at the ape's body.

"Awooo—!"

The female ape released one final, mournful cry that rang through the mountains and forests, scattering every nearby bird and wild rabbit.

One overlord of the northern mountains and forests had finally fallen.

This land could have only one king—the Silver-Maned Wolf King.

Before long, the female ape breathed its last, and the battle came to an end.

The wolf king carried the female ape by the neck and led the wolf pack back toward its den—with the Snow Ape's carcass, together with the bodies of their fallen kin, the pack had enough food to last more than a month.

The wolf king felt no pity for the dead demonic wolves. So long as food was plentiful, new wolves would soon join the pack.

Yet it did not know that, in a cave more than ten li from the battlefield, three Snow Ape cubs the size of little calves were gazing sorrowfully in the direction where their mother had died.

Born this spring, they now stumbled out of the cave and ran aimlessly toward the outer reaches of the deep mountains.

Northern Snow Apes required seven years to reach adulthood. Though these cubs were not yet one year old and already seemed sizable, they did not even possess the most basic hunting skills.

Instinct told them that only by fleeing to the borderland between the deep mountains and human settlements could they find a chance of survival—there, they could sneak into villages at night to scavenge scraps, while also keeping away from the dangerous wolf pack.

Of the three little apes, one had grayish fur, one was snow-white all over and most resembled its mother, while the last was mottled black and white, clearly a rare mutated individual.

They were plump and round, possessing none of their mother's majesty. They only dared huddle close together, nose to tail, stumbling toward the valley where Lin Family Fortress stood.

An unknowable fate awaited them. Given their current state, they would most likely not survive this cold winter or see the green grass of next spring.

Year 23 of Jiajing, First Day of the First Month

Ever since the two Centurions, Xiong Wei and Lang Xiong, had been attacked, rumors of "Strange Evil Force causing chaos" had surfaced from time to time throughout North of the River, their truth impossible to determine.

In response to these rumors, the Celestial Masters' Manor in the capital publicly declared that one of its Inner Force Grandmasters had secretly formulated a body-tempering medicinal liquid with miraculous effects against "evil force"—Mystic Light Dew.

One needed only take one bottle every seven days. After more than a month, it could give one's inner strength Yang Energy and ward off Yin Cold Evil Force.

As soon as Mystic Light Dew appeared on the market, it was priced at ten taels of silver per bottle. The first batch of three thousand bottles was snapped up within seven days by military officers of Yingtian Garrison and wealthy merchants from Jiangnan.

Seeing this, Lin Zhao grumbled inwardly, The nobles and dignitaries of this world really are easy to fool. An ordinary body-tempering liquid mixed with cinnabar can actually be inflated to such an outrageous price.

But on second thought, he was ultimately from the modern age, so it was only natural that he could not understand these people's fervent faith in the Celestial Masters' Manor—in an era where martial strength was supreme, any method capable of resisting evil force was something to rely upon to save one's life.

"Since those two Centurions were attacked, appearances of Strange Evil Force have indeed become more frequent." Lin Zhao sat in the study, his fingers tapping on the table. "If I could find some extraordinary martial artist who understands Yang Gang Inner Strength, perhaps I could uncover the details of this evil force... but where am I supposed to find such a person?"

He searched through the thread-bound ancient books in the study his father had left behind. Though the Ming Dynasty possessed movable-type printing, high-level martial texts were mostly copied by hand and passed down in secret. Even a military noble like Lin Yuanshan possessed only a limited collection.

After searching through them all, he found nothing but basic military manuals such as the Compendium of Military Arts and Border Army Combat Records. There was not even a passing mention of Yang Gang Inner Strength, and he ultimately came up empty-handed.

Just as he was feeling frustrated, Zhao Tieying strode hurriedly into the study, unable to hide his excitement. "Young Master, this subordinate has prepared a birthday gift for you. I guarantee it will be beyond your expectations!"

Zhao Tieying had always been steady and composed. Seeing him so excited, Lin Zhao could not help growing curious. Zhao Tieying waved a hand, and two Estate Guards pushed in a wheeled wooden cage. Green cloth covered the cage, and faint whimpering sounds could be heard from within.

When Zhao Tieying lifted the green cloth, three furry little creatures were curled up in a corner of the cage, trembling all over—they were three little apes.

"White apes?" Lin Zhao's expression turned strange. "Uncle Zhao, what kind of birthday gift is it to give me three monkeys?"

"Young Master, these are no ordinary white apes. They are Northern Snow Ape cubs!" Zhao Tieying said proudly, knocking his knuckles against the wooden cage. "Have you forgotten? Last year, we encountered that Snow Ape on Qixia Mountain. It had strength enough to lift a cauldron and was comparable to a Martial Master. These are cubs of its kind!"

Lin Zhao was startled. "Northern Snow Apes?" He had long heard of them—adult Snow Apes could condense Ice Soul Force and were renowned exotic beasts of the north. A single cub could sell for three hundred taels of silver on the Black Market, and many nobles wanted to tame them as guards once they reached adulthood.

"Last night, a farmwoman from Zhang Family Village outside the fortress noticed movement in her yard. When she went to investigate, she found that more than half of her chickens had been stolen. She followed the footprints for two li and caught these little fellows gnawing on chicken bones. They tried to flee the moment they saw someone, but they happened upon Estate Guards patrolling at night. Do not be fooled by the fact that they are only cubs—they were fierce. It took seven or eight men to trap them with rope nets."

As Zhao Tieying spoke, he reached into the cage and lifted the black-and-white mottled little ape by the scruff of its neck. The little creature bared its fangs and brandished its claws, making threatening whimpering sounds in its throat. But with all four limbs dangling in the air, it could flail as much as it liked without touching Zhao Tieying. It looked just like an angry kitten with all its fur standing on end.

A few chicken feathers still clung to the corners of its mouth. It was difficult to imagine that such a weak little creature would someday grow into a Snow Ape whose fierce name resounded throughout the north.

The other two little apes huddled in the cage's corner, whimpering softly as though worried for their companion's safety.

Their fur was dull, and their ribs could be clearly seen. They had plainly been hungry for a long time—had the Estate Guards not found them, they likely would have starved to death in the wilderness before long.

"Where is their mother? Could she follow their scent here?" Lin Zhao felt somewhat concerned—an adult Snow Ape possessed Martial Master-level strength, and he was no match for one at his current level.

"Rest assured, Young Master. Judging from the situation, either the mother ape met with disaster or she abandoned them." Zhao Tieying set down the little ape and explained, "It is the depths of winter now. Snow Ape cubs should have remained in a warm cave, fed by their mother. Yet they came out to steal chickens, so something must have happened to her." He paused, then urged, "These Snow Ape cubs are rare treasures. If properly tamed, they will become guards comparable to Quasi-Martial Masters in the future. But raising them costs money. They need fine meat and goat milk to replenish their qi and blood, and someone who understands exotic beasts must care for them."

Zhao Tieying's eyes curved into crescents as he smiled, clearly very pleased with this birthday gift.

"Fine, then we will raise them." Lin Zhao walked to the cage and looked at the three trembling little creatures with a smile. "The gray-furred one will be called Yuan Da, the white-furred one Yuan Er, and this mottled one shall be Yuan San."

After ordering the Estate Guards to take the little apes to an empty room in the rear courtyard, Lin Zhao thought to himself: these little fellows needed at least seven years to reach adulthood, and their wild nature would be difficult to tame. Whether they could even be raised successfully was still unknown. In the end, he could not place his hopes on them—improving his own strength and entering the Martial Master Realm as soon as possible was what truly mattered.

After the Estate Guards took the Snow Apes away, Lin Zhao turned toward Zhao Tieying. "Uncle Zhao, have you found anything regarding the texts on Yang Gang Inner Strength that I asked you to look for?"

Zhao Tieying took a yellowed thread-bound booklet from his robes. Its cover was badly worn, and only the four words Miscellaneous Records of a Sea Traveler could vaguely be seen. "Young Master, you truly have taken this matter to heart. This subordinate had people search for Half a Month. Most of what is on the market are merely tales of strange spirits, not worth believing. This volume was exchanged from a merchant who traveled the Southern Seas. It records some curious martial tales from foreign lands, and one passage mentions Yang Gang Inner Strength. Young Master may as well take a look."

The booklet was signed by an author named Ling Mengchu. It appeared to be a pen name; no one knew the writer's true identity.

Lin Zhao returned to the table, spread open the booklet, and read it word by word. The author claimed to be a merchant of the Southern Seas, and most of its contents recorded sights and experiences from his voyages. One account, "Records of an Immortal Island in the Eastern Sea," happened to concern Yang Gang Inner Strength:

"In Year 20 of Jiajing, I boarded a ship in Dengzhou Prefecture and sailed south, intending to travel to Ryukyu for trade. Unexpectedly, upon reaching the Eastern Sea, I encountered a sudden hurricane, and the grain ship overturned. Clinging to a plank, I drifted with the waves for three days. By Heaven's blessing, I was washed ashore upon an unnamed small island.

"The island was utterly deserted. Hungry and thirsty, I searched everywhere for water, only to see many strange things: a Three-Legged Golden Toad with red spots on its back, capable of spitting Blazing Sun Force that scorched the skin on contact; a Six-Winged White Crane whose feathers were like steel and whose wingbeats could snap wood; and Crimson Ganoderma growing from cracks in the rocks, red as blazing fire and actually able to move with the wind. I collapsed in weakness, yet that Crimson Ganoderma tore off a piece of its own flesh and dropped it into my palm. In desperation, I swallowed it. I felt only a warm current spreading through my limbs, and the cough that had plagued me for years was cured without treatment.

"While half-conscious, I seemed to see a Woman in Green standing before me, her features delicate and beautiful, pale golden inner strength wrapped around her body—I had once seen Martial Masters condense force at Yingtian Garrison and knew this was high-level inner strength. The woman said nothing. She merely pointed toward the shipping route beyond the island, and I understood that she was telling me to leave. When I awoke, I was already lying aboard a fishing boat. The fishermen said they had found me floating at sea and rescued me.

"Later, I became wealthy through trade and went to sea seven times to seek that small island, yet found nothing every time. I knew that the Woman in Green must have been a martial grandmaster who had cultivated Yang Gang Inner Strength, and that Crimson Ganoderma was a spirit plant for tempering the body.

"Now my head is full of white hair, and I fear I can no longer put to sea. Thus, I write down this experience, hoping that a fated person in later generations may find that grandmaster, learn Yang Gang Inner Strength, and resist yin evil... Oh, yes. While half-conscious, I seemed to hear the Crimson Ganoderma call the woman Grandmaster Luo Xue."