by Feng Yise
"This punk is seriously too shocking! He only just broke through to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm a few days back, and now, he's actually going to cross a minor stage again and directly reach the Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm! Truly terrifying!" Huyan Yong was astounded.
But seeing how Ye Yuan was so peerlessly talented, he also felt quite pleased in his heart. No matter what, Ye Yuan's relationship with the academy was sowed.
He also felt extremely proud for such a genius to walk out of the State of Qin's Dan Wu Academy.
Feng Ruoqing took a deep breath and questioned, "Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm? Look at this amount of essence energy, Teacher Huyan; is it only the Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm?"
Chapter 100 - Peak Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm!
Only after hearing what Feng Ruoqing said was Huyan Yong stunned.
Sensing the increasingly wilder essence energy vortex, Huyan Yong was once again shocked.
The feeling of this essence energy vortex almost caught up to breaking through the Spirit Condensation Realm!
Such violent essence energy, was Ye Yuan not afraid that he would be stuffed to death?"
However, Heart Like Still Water was a legendary realm. Perhaps Ye Yuan could really digest it!
Thinking up to here, Huyan Yong could not help but look forward to it.
"Hehe. This rascal really brings people surprises repeatedly."
Huyan Yong was secretly excited. However, Su Yubai's expression currently did not look good.
He originally already confirmed Ye Yuan's death. Now, not only did Ye Yuan come back to life, he even started breaking through by taking advantage of the situation.
It had only been a few days since he broke through to the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm. He was actually going to break through again!
Right now, Su Yubai could only curse that Ye Yuan was stuffed to death by this violent essence energy vortex!
Also, Ye Yuan actually reached the Heart Like Still Water Realm from the legends on the Nine Heavens Road!
He had lived for such a long time, and he did not even know what was called Heart Like Still Water, yet a fifteen-year-old brat like Ye Yuan actually reached such a level in heart realm!
After raging, Su Yubai suddenly felt waves of uneasiness.
He suddenly recalled the words that Ye Yuan said three days back.
"I'll remember this, you old fart! I, Ye Yuan, will repay today's grudge a hundredfold in the future! I will definitely take your head within a year!"
The words were still echoing in Su Yubai's ears. Back then, he only treated it as a joke.
But now, Su Yubai's heart started to become uneasy.
Within a year? He can't really do it, right?
Thinking up to here, Su Yubai shuddered uncontrollably.
. . . . . .
The wild essence energy vortex started roaring with Ye Yuan as its center and shrouded a radius of several hundred meters. The students sensed that the surrounding essence energy was virtually s.u.c.k.e.d dry.
Ye Yuan revolved the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art and greedily absorbed the essence energy surrounding the Nine Heavens Peak. His aura could be clearly seen as it rose swiftly.
However, Ye Yuan who was residing at the heart of the vortex did not move even in the slightest, as if he was still a dead man.
This movement and stillness gave everyone a huge contrast, making them felt the situation was very odd.
Nevertheless, what people were most concerned with was what Ye Yuan was trying to do.
Such an enormous essence energy vortex could completely let a martial artist break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm!
Was this Ye Yuan trying to directly break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm?
Under everyone's dumbstruck faces, Ye Yuan used Heart Like Still Water to revolve the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art. The efficiency actually became several times faster than normal!
He frenziedly refined the essence energy to bring it into his Dantian. His cultivation realm was also in the process of steadily rising!
The cultivation breakthrough this time around was not Ye Yuan initiating the breakthrough, but rather, it followed naturally after the breakthrough in heart realm.
As the saying went, when the water was full, it automatically overflowed. This was that logic.
After 15 minutes, Ye Yuan's realm broke through to the Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm without any surprises, stepping into the final minor stage in the Essence Qi Realm.
However, this was just the beginning. The essence energy vortex did not show any sign of stopping, and Ye Yuan continued to refine essence energy ceaselessly.
. . . . . .
"Too maniacal! He absorbed so much essence energy and only broke through to the Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm. If it were me, it would probably be enough to reach the Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm!"
"Yeah. What he's cultivating is definitely not the academy's cultivation law. It's impossible for the academy's Tier 3 cultivation laws to have this kind of effects."
"When you compare people, people have to die. When you compare goods, goods have to be thrown away! I wonder if I can be as monstrous as Ye Yuan if I cultivate such a powerful cultivation law."
"Are you still sleeping? Don't talk about cultivating Ye Yuan's cultivation law; are you even able to cultivate the academy's Tier 3 cultivation laws? High-tier cultivation laws are incomparably profound. If everybody could cultivate them, then wouldn't everyone be able to ascend to the Divine Realm?"
"That's true. But how is Ye Yuan trying to break through? Looking at his appearance, is he not going to give up if he doesn't break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm?!"
"Initially, I thought that way too, but looking at his current performance, the amount of essence energy required to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm must definitely be horrifying! Even though this essence energy vortex is powerful, I'm afraid it isn't sufficient for him to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm."
Under the crowd's discussions, Ye Yuan's cultivation steadily rose and rapidly broke through to the peak of Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm.
Then, it directly broke through to the Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm!
Following which, Ye Yuan's momentum did not slow down in the slightest. His aura became even more vigorous until he broke through to the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm before finally gradually slowing.
Finally, Ye Yuan's realm stopped at the peak Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm, just a single step away from the Spirit Condensation Realm!
The essence energy vortex dispersed, and Ye Yuan slowly got up. He muttered to himself, "In the previous life, I cultivated to the Divine King level without having any breakthrough in heart realm. I didn't think that while I'm currently only at the Essence Qi Realm, I would unexpectedly have such breakthrough. Martial artists placed emphasis on essence energy but disparaged heart realm. I didn't expect heart realm to actually be so important. Perhaps that intangible, abstruse Heaven Man Unity might even have some sort of connection with the Deity Realm!"
There was also the distinction between realms within the heart realm, except, it was not as systematic as cultivation realms. It was also somewhat hard to grasp.
Heart realm was divided into three realms. They were respectively Heart Like Still Water, Heart Like Monolith, and the mythical Heaven Man Unity!
Heart realm could not be trained. One could only rely on lucky chances and enlightened comprehension.
Heart Like Still Water, akin to an old well without ripples.
It was easy to say, but in reality, it was extremely difficult to achieve.
The world was plagued with turmoil and confusion. How could it be simple to truly achieve Heart Like Still Water when in the midst of the pugilistic world.
Those who could reach Heart Like Still Water Realm probably would not number more than ten in the entire Endless World.
Ye Yuan initially did not expect to break through the
heart realm either. He immersed himself inside the illusionary realm all so that he could rehearse for when meeting Ji Canglan in the future.
Ji Canglan's might was not something that the average person could comprehend. Even if he cultivated to the Divine King level once again, Ye Yuan also did not have confidence in killing him.
If Ye Yuan was unable to remain calm and collected when facing Ji Canglan in the future, then the person who would be defeated would very well be himself!
In reality, it was already extremely perilous for Ye Yuan just now in the illusionary realm. He was already at the edge of losing himself.
However, when Ji Zhengyang died yet again due to protecting him, something flashed across Ye Yuan's heart, and he comprehended Heart Like Still Water at the moment of crisis. That was how he broke the illusionary realm and exited.
Heart Like Still Water was actually not that amazing in the Divine Realm. Martial artists at the Divine King level could basically all reach this realm.
Of course, with the exception of Ye Yuan.
However, Heart Like Monolith was not so easy to attain. According to what Ye Yuan knew, there was scarcely anyone who reached that level even among the Divine Realm's Divine Kings.
As for the mythical Heaven Man Unity, Ye Yuan had never heard of anyone who accomplished it.
"Looks like the person who created the Nine Heavens Road had reached the Heart Like Still Water realm in the past. He fused his understanding into the illusionary realm to help students sense it. Seriously impressive. Except, I'm afraid it would be difficult to comprehend this Heart Like Still Water if one didn't have massive lucky encounters."
Ye Yuan had already praised this Nine Heavens Road more than once.
Ye Yuan must admit that the difficulty of this Nine Heavens Road had surpassed his imaginations.
He even nearly lost himself while in the illusionary realm, let alone the other students.
Even those students who had made it past the Nine Heavens Road most likely only forced their way through it. They were, however, unable to comprehend the true essence of the Nine Heavens Road.
This Nine Heavens Road was actually a vast treasure trove!
This middle stage of 333 steps no longer posed any more challenge to Ye Yuan now that his heart realm had already broken through to Heart Like Still Water Realm.
He made his move and headed directly for the third stage!
Chapter 101 - Former Hall Master, Martial Hall
Ye Yuan ascended the following steps like taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard.
Having reached the Heart Like Still Water Realm, this Nine Heavens Road's illusionary realm practically only existed nominally to him.
He ascended one step after another, strong and firm, and crossed the entire second stage in an instant.
Su Yubai's face turned completely black looking at this scene.
He had already sentenced Ye Yuan to death twice and did not expect Ye Yuan to revive again.
Not only did he revive, but he was also living even stronger!
Now, he could not leave nor could he stay. He stood there very awkwardly.
He was not resigned to leaving either. If he did not witness Ye Yuan being annihilated by the Nine Heavens Road with his own eyes, he would not feel at ease when eating and sleeping even if he returned.
But he had already walked out of the pavilion. How could he not leave now? Could it be that he had to turn back, sit down, and be critical about it?
He could not afford to lose his face!
Su Yubai's face alternated color several times. Finally, he swept his sleeves and left.
The other elders actually really wanted to see if Ye Yuan could succeed in his challenge. This was a historic moment!
However, they saw that Su Yubai had left, so they naturally did not find it appropriate to sit back down. They could only follow along.
On the other side, Zuo Bugui watched Ye Yuan's steady footsteps and involuntarily swallowed his saliva.
To actually break through in such a manner on the Nine Heavens Road, he truly no longer knew how to describe Ye Yuan.
But at this moment, Long Tang suddenly turned around and was about to leave. Zuo Bugui was stupefied and hurriedly asked, "You aren't watching anymore, Old Long?"
Long Tang did not slow his footsteps and merely waved his hands with his back facing Zuo Bugui. "The overall situation has been set. There's nothing to see anymore. I'll go make my preparations. The next one will be me!"
Finishing, Long Tang left straightaway.
"The overall situation has been set?" Zuo Bugui repeated this and then muttered, "He's so sure that Ye Yuan can clear it? Even if he already broke through to the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm, it's still only the Essence Qi Realm. The last 333 steps are the most challenging segment of the road. Can an Essence Qi Realm cross it?"
Naturally, nobody answered him. The only response he got was Long Tang's solid footsteps.
. . . . . .
Stepping onto the 667th step, the illusion in front of Ye Yuan immediately vanished and changed back to the Nine Heavens Road's initial appearance, a set of steps connecting to the heavens!
Yet this time around, a green-robed elder appeared in front of Ye Yuan. He had a benevolent look, with the airs of an expert.
"Young man, to have made it here shows that you're a person with unmatched talent. However, this third stage is the most challenging round in the entire Nine Heavens Road. Are you ready for it?"
The old man actually opened his mouth to talk when he saw Ye Yuan. He actually had his own consciousness!
But Ye Yuan already saw that he was an apparition at first glance. Hence, he was not overly alarmed.
"To actually leave a trace of divine sense behind on the Nine Heavens Road, could it be that this Nine Heavens Road was created by Senior?" Ye Yuan did not answer the old man's question but asked another question instead.
The old man could not help being surprised by Ye Yuan asking that. "You can actually see through my apparition? Such a wonder, a wonder! Looking at your bone age, you are 15 or 16 years old, yet you have such knowledge! However, this Nine Revolutions Turbid Heaven Array was not created by this old man. Rather, it was created by my Tranquil Cloud Sect's founding ancestor, You Wuya! This old man was about to reach the end of my lifespan, that's why I willingly split a wisp of my divine sense into the Nine Heavens Road to host the third round!"
The green-robed old man twirled his beard with a smile as he revealed an admiring look. Clearly, he idolized that person, You Wuya, greatly.
Ye Yuan came to a sudden realization. Only now did he finally know the Nine Heavens Road's origins. It was actually established by the Tranquil Cloud Sect's founding father, You Wuya!
From this, one could see that You Wuya was definitely a dazzlingly talented individual.
Others might not understand, but Ye Yuan could tell that this Nine Revolutions Turbid Heaven Array employed the law of nine and faintly incorporated the Heavenly Dao. It was not something that the average person could construct!
Furthermore, Ye Yuan could see that this Nine Revolution Turbid Heaven Array's power was far beyond this. What was set up on this Nine Heavens Peak was merely a simplified version of the grand array.
The Dan Wu Academy was only the outer sect of the Tranquil Cloud Sect. How could the Tranquil Cloud Sect possibly lay out the complete version of the array formation here?
However, even if it was the simplified version, this Nine Revolutions Turbid Heaven Array was still an extremely remarkable array formation.
"So it turns out that it was created by Founding Ancestor You. No wonder it has such power!" Ye Yuan could not resist praising it.
" En? You actually comprehended Heart Like Still Water?"
The old man sized up Ye Yuan and was greatly surprised. Ye Yuan's mental state was calm, akin to an old well without ripples. Clearly, it was the sign of having comprehended Heart Like Still Water.
The old man willingly guarded the s
tage, so he naturally understood the array considerably and was aware that this second round incorporated the Heart Like Still Water concept. But he did not expect a 15-year-old brat to comprehend it!
Ye Yuan smiled lightly, and he said, "This Junior comprehended it by luck."
Only now did the green-robed old man examine Ye Yuan closely and commented agitatedly, "Good! Good! Good! It's truly talented people will be born to take over the previous generation! Heaven is protecting my Tranquil Cloud Sect! My Tranquil Cloud Sect will surely revive in the future with such a talent! I've waited for a millennium, and finally, I saw hope! Quickly tell me your name, young man!"
"This Junior is Ye Yuan. May I know Senior's name?" Ye Yuan asked respectfully.
Ye Yuan was still very respectful in his heart towards a figure like him who sacrificed himself for the development of the sect.
One had to know that this elder already did not have much lifespan back then. Splitting out divine sense to host the array formation would result in an even greater loss of lifespan.
What reason did he have to be discourteous towards such a selfless person?
"Ye Yuan? Not bad, not bad. This old man is Lu Yan. I'm the Tranquil Cloud Sect's 35th generation, Martial Hall, Hall Master!"
"So senior is the Martial Hall's Hall Master. This Junior pays his respect." Ye Yuan bowed respectfully.
" Haha! Quickly get up, quickly get up. I'm already a dead person, so what's the point of you doing this sort of empty courtesy? I've already hosted this array for over a hundred years. My divine sense is about to be exhausted already. To be able to encounter a peerless genius such as yourself before I perish, this old man can die peacefully!"
Through special means, divine sense could indeed be sustained for a long time. But there would come the day where it would eventually perish.
This Lu Yan's divine sense could at most hold on for another ten years. At that time, it would completely dissipate from this world.
A former powerhouse, yet he still had to return to dust. This was Lu Yan's desolation and also the anguish of all martial artists.