Secrets of Ben Ti and Mecha Manufacturing, Gu Yue's Holiday Ends

"Spoken well—the Ben Ti lineage is about being oneself!"

Muye laughed heartily. The question he had just posed was the first lesson for every new disciple of the Ben Ti Sect: understanding the Original Martial Soul.

"Humans are born between heaven and earth, and should naturally stand tall and firmly on the ground. That is why the Original Martial Soul is not suppressed by any bloodline." Muye continued, "Innate Compatibility directly prevents a soul master's innate nature from conflicting with the martial soul's origin, which would otherwise trap their cultivation in a bottleneck.

If a Ben Ti soul master has a righteous personality and cannot tolerate impurity in their eyes, their martial soul may awaken a Light Attribute. But if their temperament is venomous and ruthless, the martial soul will most likely be of a deadly poison or Dark Attribute.

As for your Yin-Yang Attribute..."

Muye trailed off, seemingly unable to find a suitable word to describe Zhao Xuanzhen.

"Maybe I'm just good at yin-yanging others."

Zhao Xuanzhen cut in with a harmless joke.

"Keep that up in the future."

Muye nodded, then his smile faded as he spoke gravely:

"Being yourself is the secret to the power of the Original Martial Soul, but I must emphasize one thing: besides persisting in being yourself, you must always believe in yourself.

When the ancient humans raised torches against the Soul Beast Clan hundreds of thousands of years ago, we saw that humanity is both the torchbearer and the flame itself.

Humans are the paragon of all living things, the masters of everything in the world. Ben Ti soul masters respect nature and respect powers that temporarily surpass our own, but they must never fear those powers. One day, even the legendary supreme Dragon God will kneel at humanity's feet.

Xuanzhen, you have awakened the most powerful Original Martial Soul. Its true essence lies in transcending the self and continuously shedding the old self. The Ben Ti ancestors had a profound hope...

The True Self has no limits."

"Ben Ti Senior, I will remember this."

Zhao Xuanzhen's future was boundless, and the enemies he would face were equally unmatched in strength. The True Self, equivalent to everything within him, would ultimately, through self-immolation and rebirth, transform into an eternal and undying totem.

Seeing the firmness in the young man's eyes, Muye took an ancient, weathered manual from his Storage Soul Tool. On its cover, four bold, wild characters were written in Dark Gold:

Secrets of Ben Ti.

"Keep it safe. You may study it freely during this time. Come to me if there's anything you don't understand."

Gently wiping the surface of the ancient book with his sleeve, Muye solemnly handed the Secrets of Ben Ti to Zhao Xuanzhen.

"Thank you, Ben Ti Senior."

Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze sharpened as he accepted the manual with both hands.

Knowing that the key to the Second Awakening was to stimulate potential under extreme conditions, Zhao Xuanzhen could follow Tang Wulin's old path of Deep Sea Training. The Second Awakening did not depend on Muye.

Compared to the Second Awakening, what truly interested him was this Secrets of Ben Ti, which recorded all kinds of secret techniques of the Ben Ti Sect.

Going back ten thousand years, only the Ben Ti Sect Master or the Young Sect Master were qualified to cultivate the secret arts within. But in the Legend of the Dragon King Era, when the Ben Ti Sect had declined, Muye would make an exception and allow a third person to train in the Secrets of Ben Ti.

Looking at the still-young Zhao Xuanzhen, Muye's expression carried a hint of inner conflict, mixed with a trace of embarrassment at having to ask a favor from a junior. His lips moved a few times, and his gaze flickered as he said:

"Xuanzhen... if one day in the future, a disciple of the Ben Ti Sect comes to your door asking for help, I hope that, considering the bond between you and me... you'll lend a hand."

The Ben Ti Sect, once so glorious it overshadowed the Poseidon Pavilion, was now reduced to just the two of them, master and disciple. Muye was genuinely worried that the sect would end with A Ruheng's generation and vanish completely into the river of history.

"Ben Ti Senior, equivalent exchange is an unchanging principle of the world. I know gratitude and will repay kindness. If the Ben Ti Sect comes to my door in the future, I will do my utmost to help."

"Good..."

Zhao Xuanzhen had long become Leng Yaozhu's direct disciple, with a lower limit of Spirit Pagoda Deputy Tower Master. Muye wanted a promise.

"Ben Ti Senior, since the Ben Ti Sect has so few members, why not recruit soul masters with powerful bloodlines into the sect?"

Zhao Xuanzhen showed a curious expression. As the Eight Deceitful Gods, representing might and power, Jiu Tian's blood energy was equally surging, yet Muye had not shown the slightest interest. This did not match the Ben Ti Sect Master's known craving for bloodline soul masters.

Muye raised an eyebrow and said with some irritation, "We are the Ben Ti Sect, not the Blood Essence Sect.

Take a look at Uncle-Master Huan Nao's Brain Martial Soul—does that have anything to do with Bloodline Power? And what about martial souls like eyes or hair... The Ben Ti encompasses everything; it cannot be simply understood as bloodline!

Besides, the Ben Ti Sect must ultimately be inherited by Ben Ti soul masters. What would be the point of letting in someone without an Original Martial Soul?"

"Really...?"

Zhao Xuanzhen expressed doubt. Muye coughed and changed the subject:

"Alright, I won't say it's absolute.

It's just that I happened to meet a True Self Martial Soul. Otherwise, I really would have considered taking in a young soul master with outstanding blood energy into the Ben Ti Sect. After all, A Ruheng... sigh!"

Muye covered his face and sighed. Zhao Xuanzhen couldn't help but smile. It seemed A Ruheng was indeed unreliable and not the kind of leader who could revive the Ben Ti Sect.

"Let's not talk about annoying things. Let's talk about you." Muye waved his hand and started a new topic.

"You have three tasks for this period. First, naturally, complete the Second Awakening of your Original Martial Soul. Second, study the Secrets of Ben Ti.

Finally... what is your chosen Second Profession?"

"Mecha Design, Mecha Manufacturing, Mecha Repair." Zhao Xuanzhen said.

"Good heavens, all three at once!" Muye's eyelids twitched. "That's quite ambitious. The Battle Armor you produce will be one hundred percent compatible with you.

I recall that Sky Phoenix Douluo is a Ninth Rank Mecha Designer and Eighth Rank Mecha Manufacturer, and Uncle-Master is a Ninth Rank Mecha Repairer. Are they both teaching you your Second Profession?"

"Yes."

"No wonder the senior uncle gave me a hint..."

Muye suddenly understood. He was a ninth-level mecha manufacturer, and the gap between ninth and eighth level was worlds apart. Han Tianyi clearly wanted him to teach Zhao Xuanzhen mecha manufacturing.

"Since that's the case, I'll teach you mecha manufacturing from now on. Among the many ninth-level mecha manufacturers in the Sun Moon Federation, no one dares to claim they're better than me." Muye said with overwhelming arrogance.

"You like mechas, don't you? Especially Red-grade mechas!"

Red mechas, also known as God-level mechas, require the finest materials and top-tier forging. The manufacturer must infuse their own blood essence, and there have even been special cases where a spirit soul merged with the mecha.

"Not really. At most, I'd make one for transportation." Zhao Xuanzhen cut straight to the point.

Once one's cultivation broke through to Extreme Douluo, almost everyone had a Four-Word Battle Armor. On the neighboring continent, Holy Dragon Douluo Enci, including the Mingui Two Emperors of the Holy Spirit Cult, all nurtured Four-Word Battle Armor through special methods. In comparison, a Three-Word Battle Armor-level Red-grade mecha seemed like a joke.

There were plenty of monstrous talents with exceptional gifts, but some lost their way on the path forward—like the Ben Ti Sect Master before him, immersed in Red-grade mechas. Zhao Xuanzhen didn't want to become a second Muye. The knowledge he had already acquired was enough, sufficient.

One month later, Death Valley.

Grotesque trees grew in clusters, evil winds howled, and the evil aura frantically corroded any living being that dared to intrude.

"Boom—"

Taijiquan traced a perfect circle. Two massive abominations flew backward, their chests horrifically caved in, greasy fat gushing out.

Zhao Xuanzhen's figure froze in a stance with arms spread and knees slightly bent. His jet-black hair cascaded like flowing water. Undead corpses littered the ground, forming small mounds.

Draining the last trace of power from his body, Zhao Xuanzhen swayed for a moment. Relying on the will in his heart, he barely managed to stay standing instead of collapsing to the ground.

"Training over."

A dark gold light flashed, and Muye reached out to scoop up Zhao Xuanzhen. The undead creatures howled madly at the sky, helplessly watching the two depart.

High in the sky, Muye held the energy-depleted Zhao Xuanzhen with one hand while rubbing his chin with the other, puzzled. "Strange. The limit is forty-nine days, but the second awakening of an Original Martial Soul usually happens around twenty days...

Today's the thirtieth day. Why haven't you shown any signs yet?"

Zhao Xuanzhen gave a helpless smile. The reason couldn't be shared with outsiders. This past month was the backlash period from merging with the Soaring Serpent, leaving him in a weakened state.

The one-month period was up. Lao Zhen would return to his peak glory, and within nineteen days, he could undergo the second awakening.

Under the dim sunlight, the two streaked across the sky like meteors, heading back to the Forging Association in Heaven Dou City.

Zhao Xuanzhen's daily routine was now regular. In the morning, Muye dragged him to Death Valley to Ora Ora with undead creatures until he was completely drained. Then they returned to the Forging Association to eat, followed by studying mecha manufacturing and Ben Ti Sect secret techniques.

After a full day of hard training, one of the two girls, Gu Yue or Na'er, would be waiting in his room with a smile to apply medicine. Finally, he would meditate and rest.

As Zhao Xuanzhen and Muye stepped into the Small Kitchen, Godly Craftsman Zhen Hua, Na'er, and Jiu Tian were already seated, waiting for them to start the meal. The kitchen glass reflected Gu Yue's graceful silhouette.

"Gu Yue is cooking?"

Zhao Xuanzhen was slightly stunned. These past days, Muye had always been the one to cook when they returned. Today, it was Gu Yue.

Muye clasped his hands behind his back, sighing like a seasoned veteran. "The little girl insisted on learning to cook. This Sect Master couldn't refuse, so I taught her a few tricks.

To capture a boy's heart, first capture his stomach. Kid, you're in for quite the fortune."

Hearing this, Zhao Xuanzhen showed no reaction, calm as still water. Beside him, Na'er bit her chopsticks in indignation, her silver hair slightly disheveled.

Gu Yue's move was too cunning!

This past month, Na'er had deeply experienced what it meant to be restless, afraid that the plump, fair pig at home would be lured away by a bad woman.

Gu Yue's level was too high. Astronomy, geography, mechas, battle armor, massage, cooking—she had a hand in every field of knowledge. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her temperament elegant and serene, her personality meticulous yet not without charm. She was practically the perfect partner.

Na'er panicked. In truth, she couldn't distinguish between liking and love. She was just a girl who didn't want another girl to take away her cherished doll.

"Time to eat."

Gu Yue brought over plates of dishes one by one, smiling at Zhao Xuanzhen like a blooming flower. "Hard work during the battle. Try my cooking."

Her peerless beauty was just one item in Gu Yue's arsenal. She was an extremely clever girl, well aware that looks and figure weren't a long-term strategy.

She showcased her excellent abilities from multiple angles to draw Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze, then slowly suppressed and replaced Na'er. This was the Conquering Xuanzhen Plan Gu Yue had devised.

Through her relentless efforts, the relationship between the two visibly warmed.

During the conquest, Gu Yue discovered that Zhao Xuanzhen was a very, very good person. He had the best looks, talent, and background, yet lacked any of the bad habits of a spoiled rich kid. He had his own standards in everything, and being with him made her feel very comfortable.

She admitted Na'er had excellent taste. Zhao Xuanzhen was worthy of being the Core of Humanity for the Silver Dragon King's Half Body, and she grew more eager to have him pledge allegiance to Gu Yue Queen.

"Whoosh—"

One by one, the silver-white lids were lifted. The halo of the hanging lamp was shattered by the rising steam. The fish was coated in a pale cherry blossom-like marbling. In the golden soup made from blood swallow and ham floated peony-shaped flowers, with crab roe outlining the petal veins.

The thousand-year snow-mountain lamb was stewed until it gleamed like jade fat, covered in a white jelly formed from Tian Shan star chrysanthemums. Beef slices as thin as cicada wings cast shadow-puppet-like silhouettes. The entire room was instantly filled with the aroma of the dishes.

Na'er's eyes lit up. She picked up a piece of snow-mountain lamb and put it in her mouth. The lamb's fragrance spread through her body, and a sense of happiness burst forth from within.

Forget it, let's just feast first!

Seeing this, Gu Yue calmly picked up food for Zhao Xuanzhen, but the faint curve at the corner of her lips inadvertently betrayed her.

A foodie whose head was full of food was no match at all. Gu Yue was very confident. Even if she gave Na'er another four years, she still wouldn't be able to win Zhao Xuanzhen. In this life, she was destined to be the silver-haired loser!

"Xuanzhen, the Eastsea Academy starts tomorrow. I need to go back to school." Gu Yue said softly.

Zhao Xuanzhen paused in his eating, looking at her movingly fair face beneath her dark bangs. He spoke, "I'll see you off."

"Mm."

Gu Yue naturally wanted to stay by Zhao Xuanzhen's side and continue her campaign, but she also wanted to return to Eastsea Academy to investigate the anomaly in Tang Wulin's bloodline. The Golden Dragon King had inexplicably degenerated into a Golden Dragon overnight—who knew whether he could change back after a month had passed?

Yes! The wicked woman was finally leaving!

Na'er nearly screamed with excitement. A day this good deserved celebration—she had to eat ten extra bowls of rice!

Turning into a ruthless silver-haired eating machine, she swept through the meat like a storm, only to suddenly realize that most of the meat in her bowl had vanished. She stared at the empty bowl for a long moment.

"Hey, Zhao Xuanzhen, you stole my meat!"

Na'er let out a sharp shriek!

"Whoever gets it in their mouth owns it." Zhao Xuanzhen was completely unashamed.

"If it tastes good, I'll make some more." Gu Yue's eyebrows and eyes curved gently.

"No need!" Na'er brimmed with confidence. "Anything you can do, I can do too. Just wait—I'll add some dishes for everyone!"

With that, Na'er dashed excitedly into the kitchen, where the sound of chopping soon rang out.

"Na'er can cook?" Muye asked in surprise.

"She can't tell salt from sugar."

"Ah???"

Muye's face went pale with shock. Oh no—my kitchen!

Before long, the kitchen's glass door slid open, accompanied by a thick black haze. Na'er emerged with three dishes: one green beans, one fish, and one lump of coal.

Staring at the vibrantly alive, emerald-green beans, the super chef Muye gave an impartial review: "Judging by the color, those beans don't want us to eat them."

That fish looked like leftovers from yesterday the moment it left the pan, smelling like a black-skinned jock's unwashed socks after a week of summer basketball. Zhao Xuanzhen turned his gaze gloomily toward Na'er and said:

"I think you need to apologize to this wrongfully killed fish."

"It's just not pretty to look at—take a bite!" Na'er urged relentlessly.

The third dish was Carbon Fiber Large Intestine. The alchemical genius Na'er had extracted rare metals from the intestines.

Jiu Tian stood up abruptly, his expression serious. "I suddenly have a forging inspiration. I'm going to the Forging Room."

"Your teacher will go with you." Godly Craftsman Zhen Hua followed close behind.

"The kitchen's a bit messy—I'll tidy it up."

Muye slammed the kitchen door shut, leaving the three of them staring at each other.

Gu Yue crossed her arms and said coldly, "I'm not eating!"

"Who asked you to eat!"

Na'er turned away with a proud huff, then switched faces. "Zhao Xuanzhen, you want to eat, right!"

"They came up with excuses too fast—I couldn't keep up." Zhao Xuanzhen said regretfully.

"No way. Everyone else can skip it, but you have to try!"

Na'er ground her small tiger teeth. If you don't eat it, I'll eat you!

Out of respect for Na'er's labor, Zhao Xuanzhen picked up a piece of the pitch-black Carbon Fiber Large Intestine, brought it to his mouth, and took a small bite. His features instantly twisted as he whipped his head around to glare at Na'er, who was feigning innocence.

Fine. So all your clever schemes were aimed at me!