Eight Nine Mysterious Art

Yang Jian! Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun! The most outstanding disciple under Yu Ding Zhenren!

Although Li Su had mentally prepared himself to encounter various powerful figures and their disciples at Kunlun Mountain, he hadn't expected to meet this renowned God of War so soon.

Moreover, the other party seemed to be waiting for him here specifically.

"So it's fellow Daoist Yang Jian." Li Su bowed slightly in return, "May I ask why Senior Yu Ding wishes to see me?"

He had a deep impression of Yu Ding Zhenren, another extremely famous disciple under Yuanshi Tianzun, renowned for his swordsmanship and body-refining techniques.

Yang Jian's expression was stern, and he spoke concisely: "My master sensed that you have a connection with the Dao of 'Weapons' and 'War,' and has specifically ordered me to guide you to Golden Haze Cave on Yuquan Mountain to meet him."

He paused and added, "My master also knows of your intention to go to Jade Void Palace. This meeting is solely for discussing the Dao, and will not involve any master-disciple relationship."

Hearing that it wouldn't involve a master-disciple relationship, Li Su felt slightly relieved and simultaneously became curious about Yu Ding Zhenren's purpose.

A connection with the Dao of 'Weapons' and 'War'? Was it because of his continuous killing along the way, or did the "Bedrock" intent align with some kind of battle spirit?

"If that is the case, I will trouble fellow Daoist Yang Jian to lead the way." Li Su nodded in agreement.

Yang Jian said no more, turned, and took a step forward. Clouds spontaneously formed beneath his feet, and he flew towards a mountain peak within the Kunlun Mountain range, where sword energy soared into the sky. Li Su followed closely behind.

Before long, they arrived before a celestial mountain shaped like a sharp sword, exuding a piercing golden aura.

At the summit, the entrance to a simple cave dwelling was wide open, inscribed with the words "Golden Haze Cave." Each stroke of the characters seemed to contain supreme sword intent, making it impossible to look directly at them.

Upon entering the cave dwelling, the interior was not as luxurious as imagined, but rather simple. There was only a stone bed, a meditation cushion, an incense table, and a few ancient swords hanging on the walls.

In the center of the cave dwelling, a Daoist priest wearing a gray robe, with a gaunt face and eyes that seemed to flash with sword light when opened, was seated cross-legged on the meditation cushion. It was Yu Ding Zhenren.

His aura was not as profound as Yuqing Zhenren's, which was like a deep sea, but it was incomparably sharp, like a peerless divine sword hidden in its sheath, capable of shaking the heavens and earth once unsheathed.

"Disciple Yang Jian, following my master's orders, has brought fellow Daoist Mo Xing here." Yang Jian bowed respectfully.

"Junior Mo Xing pays his respects to Senior Yu Ding." Li Su also bowed.

Yu Ding Zhenren's gaze fell upon Li Su, a gaze that seemed to penetrate all illusions and point directly to the essence.

Li Su felt a slight chill run through his bamboo body, as if swept by invisible sword energy, yet there was no malice.

"As expected," Yu Ding Zhenren spoke slowly, his voice like the clash of metal, carrying a sharp edge.

"You have an unusual foundation and a difficult path, yet through slaughter and combat, you have forged an unyielding and opportunistic 'battle heart.' More remarkably, you have managed to integrate the intent of 'Bedrock' into your instinctive defense, concealing opportunities for counterattack within your defenses.

Alas, without a systematic body-refining method, you possess a treasure mountain yet remain unaware of it."

Li Su inwardly admired him; the other party had instantly discerned the characteristics and shortcomings of his fighting style.

He did indeed lack profound body-refining techniques. Although his bamboo body was resilient, it was mostly due to his foundation and energy tempering, failing to fully unleash his potential.

"Please guide me, Senior." Li Su humbly sought instruction.

Yu Ding Zhenren did not answer directly but instead asked, "Do you know what 'War' is? What 'Weapons' are?"

Li Su pondered for a moment and replied, drawing from his own experiences: "In my humble opinion, 'War' is not about seeking conflict, but a means to protect the Dao, seek survival, and break through obstacles.

'Weapons' are not instruments of slaughter, but extensions of one's own Dao, a reliance for responding to all changes. Offense and defense are integrated, existing within the heart."

A hint of admiration flashed in Yu Ding Zhenren's eyes: "Although not comprehensive, you have touched upon the essence. The Dao of War begins with protection and ends with transcendence.

The 'Weapons' of War are extensions of the Dao, reflections of the heart. Observing the resilience of your bamboo body, the sharpness of your Stellar Evil Energy, the cunning of your Soul Devour, and the variations of your formations, all can be 'Weapons,' yet you lack a core combat technique to unify and elevate them."

He paused and continued, "I have summoned you here today not to accept you as a disciple, but because I see you possess some talent and cannot bear to see a pearl obscured, treading a wrong path.

I have a body-refining combat technique called the Eight Nine Mysterious Art, passed down from my master. It contains seventy-two transformations, the marvel of achieving sainthood through the physical body, and also encompasses infinite combat skills and opportunities for divine ability transformations.

This technique will not be directly imparted to you. Instead, I will give you a 'Sword Edict,' containing the foundation for initiating the Mysterious Art and the essence of some of its transformations. How much you can comprehend and integrate into your own combat power will depend on your fortune."

With that, Yu Ding Zhenren formed his fingers into a sword. A point of extreme condensation at his fingertip, imbued with infinitely profound information, shot out as golden light, entering Li Su's bamboo body!

BOOM!

Li Su felt a vast torrent of information explode within him! Countless profound methods for physical tempering, blood essence circulation, energy conversion, and simulated transformations surged into his consciousness!

At the same time, an incomparably sharp, yet infinitely variable sword intent flowed within his body, guiding him to understand and adapt to this entirely new way of utilizing power!

The Eight Nine Mysterious Art! It was indeed this renowned supreme cultivation technique! Although it was only an introductory Sword Edict, not the complete text, its subtlety and profundity far exceeded Li Su's imagination!

His bamboo body involuntarily began to subtly adjust its structure according to the guidance of the Sword Edict, with Stellar Evil Energy and Blood Essence (plant essence) circulating along mysterious routes.

The intricate patterns on the surface of his bamboo body seemed to become even more complex and agile!

[Acquired Eight Nine Mysterious Art Introductory Sword Edict (Bestowed by Yu Ding Zhenren).]

[Initiating analysis... Merging with inherent characteristics...] [Physical strength increased... Energy utilization efficiency increased... Gained weak transformation ability (currently limited to fine-tuning own structure and simulating similar auras)...]

[Combat instincts enhanced... Derived Divine Ability: Stellar Evil Sky-Rending Thrust (Novice, combining Stellar Evil Energy and Mysterious Art power application techniques)...]

The system's notification sounds rang out rapidly.

Li Su was immersed in this profound enlightenment. After an unknown period, he slowly regained his senses.

He saw Yu Ding Zhenren still seated on the meditation cushion, with Yang Jian standing respectfully by his side.

He bowed deeply: "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior! I will remember this kindness in my heart!"

Yu Ding Zhenren said indifferently: "The method has been given to you. How far you go depends on yourself. Go now, Jade Void Palace lies ahead. Do not keep my master waiting."

Li Su understood this as a signal to leave. He bowed again in thanks and, under Yang Jian's guidance, departed Golden Haze Cave.

Outside the cave dwelling, a subtle softening appeared on Yang Jian's stern face. He said, "Master rarely values an outsider this much.

Take care of yourself, and I hope you reach the summit of Jade Void Palace soon." With that, he transformed into a golden light and departed.

Li Su stood alone outside the Golden Haze Cave, feeling the changes within his body brought about by the Sword Edict of the Eight Nine Mysterious Art. Although his strength hadn't surged dramatically, his understanding of how to wield power and his future path had become much clearer. Moreover, he had gained a body-refining combat technique with boundless potential.

The immortal opportunities of Kunlun were indeed unfathomable. He calmed his mind and continued to advance towards the higher steps.

The higher he went, the greater the pressure became, and the fewer fellow disciples (registered disciples) he encountered. It was clear that many had been trapped in various trials or opportunities.

Along the way, he passed several peculiar places: one where a waterfall flowed with condensed stellar essence;

a bamboo forest where spiritual bamboos grew, capable of refining magical treasures for sound-based techniques;

he even saw from afar two young Daoist boys playing chess on a platform, whose every move of a chess piece caused changes in the stars of the Cosmos...

But he did not stop at any of them. The resonance of the Bedrock Rune guided him all the way up.

Finally, after traversing a dense cloud and mist that could disorient travelers, an incredibly vast white jade plaza, seemingly existing since antiquity, appeared before him.

At the end of the plaza stood a magnificent palace complex, exuding supreme Daoist charm.

The highest palace, on its plaque, bore three large characters written in Daoist script—Jade Void Palace!

A Sage's dojo, within reach!

However, at the final flight of stairs leading to the Jade Void Palace, stood an acquaintance.

Fairy Yun Yao, holding a horsetail whisk, looked at him with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Mo Xing, congratulations on reaching this point.

The Jade Void Palace lies ahead, but to enter its gates, you must first pass my final 'Heart's Inquiry' trial."