Jinmen
Before the gates of an old residence occupying a vast stretch of land in the eastern part of the city.
"Knock, knock."
After stepping forward and lightly rapping the bronze door knocker twice, Zhang Fuhu called out loudly:
"Zhang Fuhu of the Life-Slaying Martial Hall has come today with his disciple to pay a visit."
As his words fell, the tightly shut dark azure gates slowly opened on their own, as though two invisible gatekeepers had come to welcome their guests.
Zhang Fuhu strode in first, with Li Xijun following behind the old master.
As they walked, Li Xijun took in the enormous garden. Winding streams threaded through pavilions and rockeries, sometimes concealed beneath stones, sometimes appearing beside corridors. The gentle sound of water rose and fell. Jagged stone peaks stood tall and steep, their openings clear and hollow. Some rockeries rose abruptly beside the water, forming dangerous cliff-like banks; others were piled into ridges, creating the impression of rolling mountains.
While marveling at its exceptional tranquility, a perfect place for cultivating oneself and calming the mind, Li Xijun naturally realized what great opportunity Zhang Fuhu had meant.
Someone capable of possessing such a secluded residence in Jinmen, someone capable of opening doors from thin air, was most likely Li Boyan, the Grand Secretary who had returned home a few days ago.
He continuously visualized the Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart in his mind, gradually calming his state of mind.
Until he followed them to a lakeside hall called Retreat and Reflect Hall.
Its immense floor-to-ceiling lattice doors and windows stood open and bright, taking in all the surrounding lake and mountain scenery.
Yet the thin old man seated by the tea table on a rush mat blended just as perfectly with the landscape around him, appearing before the two of them as one with heaven and earth.
His eyes could clearly see the man sitting there naturally, but Li Xijun's soul and senses perceived only an empty hall filled with mountains and water.
"Since our parting in Kyoto all those years ago, Duke Boyan's bearing remains as splendid as ever." Zhang Fuhu stepped forward and respectfully saluted him. "You had only just arrived in Jinmen a few days ago, yet you foiled the foreign church's scheme. Your Three Teachings heart-aspect is truly unparalleled throughout the ages."
"Heh, what bearing can this old body possess? Yuan Rong, on the other hand, has not been seen for a long time, yet you remain as vigorous as ever."
Seeing a friend he had made during the great war between East and West, Li Boyan's expression softened considerably. He shook his head with a faint smile and made an inviting gesture.
Zhang Fuhu stepped forward and took a seat, accepting the tea the other man offered him. He still appeared steady on the surface, but inwardly, he let out a great sigh of relief.
The two had met during the great war against the Western invaders. Since they had both held radical pro-war views, they had fought in that war together. Their bond had indeed been forged through life and death on the battlefield.
But decades had passed, and times had changed.
The other man had long since risen to the highest ranks of government, a Grand Secretary with overwhelming power, a Spirit-Refining Manifest Saint True Lord. He himself was merely a Blood-Exchange Martial Sage comparable to one in the Soul Out of Body realm.
Moreover, they had only exchanged letters over the years. He had naturally harbored some doubts about coming here today.
Fortunately, the other man's attitude remained unchanged.
Zhang Fuhu cast Li Xijun a discreet glance, then, rather than getting straight to the point, began by discussing the Seven Gods Church's actions in recent days before speaking of their old shared experiences.
More than an hour passed. Once he felt the time was right, Zhang Fuhu finally pointed at Li Xijun and said:
"This lad is called Li Xijun. He returned to the country a few days ago to study martial arts and joined my Life-Slaying Martial Hall."
"He is not yet eighteen this year, yet he has already attained some cultivation in both martial arts and spirit refinement."
"Not only has he made a small success in spirit refinement, with a promising future ahead, but in martial arts, following the method described in the books Duke Boyan wrote back then, he has cultivated spirit refinement and martial arts together. In one month, he completed his skin and flesh; in three months, his sinews and bones. He has now entered the Viscera Refinement Realm."
"I initially wished to accept him as my personal disciple, but after seeing his exceptional talent in both spirit refinement and martial arts, I felt that doing so would truly delay his future."
"I have brought him here today in hopes that Duke Boyan will accept this lad."
After saying this, Zhang Fuhu looked at the other man with great expectation.
But after taking a sip of tea, the thin old man examined Li Xijun from head to toe, sighed softly, and said:
"He truly is an excellent seedling. When I presumptuously added those words after Introduction to Spirit Refinement, I believed that a genius capable of dual cultivating spirit refinement and martial arts would theoretically progress at such a rate. I never expected someone to truly accomplish it."
"This is thanks to the martial hall and my master's teachings. I was also fortunate enough to read the earnest instruction in your writings, sir, which is why Xijun has made such progress."
Li Xijun had already sensed that something was wrong, but he still hurriedly rose, saluted, and answered.
"However, Yuan Rong was wrong about one thing. You have not merely achieved a small success in Spirit Condensation. You are already close to major success. You truly are a genius in spirit refinement. What Contemplation Method do you cultivate?"
"In reply to you, sir, this student obtained the Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart from an enemy."
Had Zhang Fuhu not made those revealing remarks before their arrival, Li Xijun likely would not necessarily have told the truth. Even if he had, he would have hesitated greatly.
But having prepared himself beforehand, he answered directly and frankly.
Li Boyan nodded slightly at this, then shook his head again and said:
"You are rather sincere. If you had concealed it or hesitated earlier, I could have politely seen you off. But since you are like this, this old man will speak plainly."
"Had I met you a few years earlier, with Yuan Rong's recommendation, I would certainly have accepted you as my disciple and devoted everything to cultivating you."
"Unfortunately, you came too late. I no longer intend to explore the possibility of dual cultivating spirit refinement and martial arts. I only wish to fulfill the trust Your Majesty has placed in me, retire to the countryside in the future, care for the Ninth Princess, and spend the rest of my life in peace."
"Duke Boyan, this... why?"
Zhang Fuhu could no longer conceal his emotions, and his body straightened.
"Back when we slept side by side on the battlefield, did you not speak with absolute certainty? Did you not believe that dual cultivation of the two paths might bring a breakthrough and open a new road?"
"Why have you now lost all your resolve, Duke Boyan? Why will you not even try?"
This appearance of his made Zhang Fuhu feel even worse than Li Xijun being rejected.
Yet the thin old man opposite them spoke calmly, revealing something that made both of them tremble.
"Yuan Rong, the Seven Western Gods have begun to awaken in recent years. A year ago, I spoke with the God of Machines and Steam."
"From Its words, I confirmed something. Not only is martial arts a dead end, but spirit refinement can never produce a realm comparable to the Seven Gods. Dual cultivation of martial arts and spirit refinement may offer a breakthrough, but it is still impossible to become a god."
"We were all wrong," Li Boyan said calmly.
"What? This... this..." Zhang Fuhu's worldview suffered a devastating blow, and he could not believe it. "Does what a god says have to be true? Perhaps It was merely making empty threats!"
"It was not making empty threats. It was true. Because the Eastern Continent has no 'Uniqueness,' and in this world, only by containing Uniqueness can one ascend to become a god."
Li Xijun silently listened to this earth-shattering secret, while Zhang Fuhu remained unable to believe it.
"I had already sensed that something was wrong during the war between East and West."
"At that time, three Western gods descended one after another, nearly shaking all of Dasheng."
"At the time, cultivators of the Three Teachings had nearly exhausted all their reserves. My teacher wielded the Most Sage Teacher Engraving Knife; the sweeping monk from the rear mountain of Great Enlightenment Temple brought one hundred and eight Sarira left behind by generations of eminent monks; the Celestial Master of the Celestial Masters Sect sacrificed the Celestial Master Sword and the Dao Ancestor Diagram. With the accumulated incense-offering foundation of all Three Teachings in Dasheng empowering them, their strength was almost unprecedented throughout history."
"Back then, all of them possessed strength capable of contending with gods, yet not one could trigger the third Heavenly Tribulation and attain the supreme Yang Spirit of the spirit refinement path."
Li Xijun could not help breathing more rapidly.
It seemed that after becoming a Manifest Saint True Lord in this world's spirit refinement path, one had to undergo Heavenly Tribulation. And Spirit-Refining Cultivators undergoing tribulation could become powerful enough to confront gods.
Psychic Power users in the Main World had never been said to be this strong.
Hearing such secret history for the first time, Zhang Fuhu's mind fell into disarray, and his face went blank.
Only the thin old scholar before them continued pouring tea. Yet some tea occasionally spilled, causing him to set down the purple clay teapot before continuing:
"Not only them. In those years, the united hearts of countless millions of Dasheng citizens generated the Power of the People, allowing Your Majesty to enter the battle after the Three Teachings were defeated. He transformed into an Azure Dragon and nearly perished alongside the three gods. But after the war, Your Majesty was left critically wounded even to this day, while those gods merely needed to sleep for several decades before they could return."
"When I served in the Cabinet, Your Majesty and I discussed this. As Your Majesty said, his power had already matched the Seven Gods that day, yet the position one step beyond seemed locked away. Without a key, it could not be opened no matter what."
"It is not that you and I are incapable. It is not that martial arts and spirit refinement are incapable. It is that Heaven favors some over others. Heaven... favors some over others!"
At this point, even this thin old scholar could no longer maintain his calm. He raised his head and sighed toward the heavens, his expression bleak and his sorrow impossible to conceal.
Li Xijun could not help recalling the expression of Chancellor Zhuge before his death in the old version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Vast heavens above, why are you so cruel to me?
The entire hall fell silent. The lake, mountains, bamboo groves, and courtyard seemed affected by him, becoming utterly still. Only the desolate autumn wind blew past.
Zhang Fuhu slowly rose to his feet, while Li Boyan silently lifted his teacup, preparing to see his guests out.
Just as Li Xijun also felt that there was no hope and prepared to rise and leave, Zhang Fuhu spoke in a deep voice:
"Duke Boyan, I am merely a humble Blood-Exchange Martial Sage. I cannot see the lofty immortals of the Three Teachings or the dragon emperor, and I truly cannot understand as clearly as you how unreachable the gods are."
"Yet now, the Black Night Church and the Church of the God of War press closer step by step, and the people of the Western Continent's desire to destroy us is obvious to every passerby."
"This old bag of bones can die if it must, but when I think of my descendants being slaughtered, forced to believe in their churches, treated as slaves and beasts of burden, I would not be able to close my eyes even in death."
"My disciple possesses exceptional talent. He may yet forge a new path through combined spirit refinement and martial arts cultivation. Even if he fails, it would still be a good thing for Dasheng to produce another Manifest Saint True Lord."
"I know well that the spirit refinement path places immense importance on inheritance. Without a renowned master and a supreme Contemplation Method, one can never become a Manifest Saint True Lord."
Having said this, the white-haired old man clasped his hands and bowed deeply, slowly lowering himself until he bent completely over, humble to the extreme.
"I only ask Lord Li, for the sake of this old face of mine, to give him one chance."
The world became exceedingly quiet, with only the autumn wind outside the window blowing past.
Pale yellow chrysanthemums swayed in the wind, while a young girl crouched before the flowers and cautiously lowered her head to smell them.
Li Xijun instinctively opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment, he was at a loss.
His many years of stock trading in his previous life had long conditioned him to think in terms of transactions.
Therefore,
when Zhou Yibai, his brother only in appearance, cut ties with him and turned around to befriend Zhou Shenghao and the others,
he had not felt even the slightest anger. Instead, he had remained utterly calm.
Because given his circumstances at the time, the other man had been discarding the weak and retaining the strong. It had been an entirely correct move.
He had been able to accept Zhang Haifeng's investment of two hundred thousand without any qualms.
Because he knew that he would offer sufficient returns in exchange.
When Su Nianying said she would serve as his instructor and teach him blade techniques, he had also been able to accept without hesitation.
Because he was confident he could surpass the Wood Sage, become the strongest of all generations, and become the genius she had hoped for upon the flag-raising platform.
But now, seeing the white-haired old man before him plead so humbly for his future in spirit refinement,
he rarely felt such panic and helplessness.
"After all these years, you are still as stubborn as ever, refusing to turn back until you hit a wall."
This old scholar of refined bearing shook his head with a bitter smile. Yet he also stepped down from that lofty artistic conception of unity with heaven and earth, finally showing a little more humanity.
"Fine, fine. I can teach him the Three Teachings Convergence Supreme Contemplation Method I created back then."
Only then did Zhang Fuhu straighten up. Just as he let out a breath of relief and was about to grin—
"However, this Contemplation Method requires three Contemplation Methods from the Three Teachings as its foundation. Furthermore, all three must be at least high-grade Contemplation Methods."
"Back then, the war between the Eastern and Western Continents was underway, and the Three Teachings exchanged their knowledge. Only then did I have the opportunity to consult many Contemplation Methods from the Three Teachings, and I swore a soul oath that I would not pass them on."
"If you wish to inherit my legacy, you must promptly switch to high-grade Contemplation Methods in the Sitting in Oblivion Realm. Consider this your test."
At this point, Li Boyan looked at the youth before him and asked:
"You are nearly at major success in Spirit Condensation. Do you possess a Mystic Item Flying Sword?"
"Besides the Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart, I also found a Mystic Item Flying Sword called Blood Vein Cord while looting a corpse."
Before this man, Li Xijun continued to tell the truth.
"Mm. You dual cultivate spirit refinement and martial arts, possess a Flying Sword, and happen to have learned the Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart. Now that you have entered the Viscera Refinement Realm, you should learn some sword techniques for self-defense."
As his words fell, a thin brass book page from some corner of the library at the far edge of the estate transformed into a streak of golden light and flew out. In an instant, it landed in Li Xijun's hand.
"No matter what, since Yuan Rong brought you here, this old man cannot be stingy. Consider this sword technique my first meeting gift."
Hearing this, Li Xijun instinctively glanced at the page.
He was immediately overwhelmed by a terrifying sensation of icy death, as though hell had descended upon the world and ghosts and gods had come to claim his life. The soul-seizing, spirit-killing intent made him shudder, and cold sweat instantly drenched his back.
Realizing at once that this sword technique was far from ordinary, he hurriedly rose and saluted in thanks.
Li Boyan accepted it calmly, then finally adopted the posture of lifting his teacup to see his guests out.
"Go. Return when you reach the Sitting in Oblivion Realm."
Before you continue