A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 454 Leaving
As the calamity dissipated, the Treasure Mirror and the Kui Dragon Ruyi transformed into two streams of light and rushed into the Sword Casting City. They spun in mid-air and landed in front of Gu Xu. Gu Xu swept his sleeve, and the two treasures turned into light and disappeared into his sleeve.

"Master Dao's cultivation is unfathomable, and these two treasures have truly broadened my horizons. I am fortunate to have received your assistance this time, otherwise Sword Forging City would have been in grave danger. Please accept my bow."

Sword Master straightened his face and bowed respectfully. Upon seeing this, Gu Xu quickly supported Sword Master's arm and helped him up, saying solemnly, "City Lord, you are mistaken. Even if I had not taken action, Sword Forging City would have been able to turn the tide. Now that the calamity has subsided and the martial world is in ruins, it is the time for City Lord to display his great achievements."

Upon hearing Gu Xu's words, the Sword Master secretly shook his head. Sword Forging City might have the ability to resolve the crisis, but putting aside the time, the losses would certainly be considerable. If the losses were severe under this calamity, how could they talk about rectifying the martial arts world and restoring its new customs? This time, they gained such a great advantage, and the Taoist priest deserves all the credit.

"This time, the elites of the Supreme Alliance have all perished, and Ren Qianxing has also lost all his martial arts skills and is no longer a threat. As for Jian Yin, when the city lord was reorganizing the martial arts world, that was the moment he retired from the martial arts world. The remaining alliances of various sects were devoured by this calamity, and it will take at least thirty to fifty years to recover their strength. By the time they recover, Sword Forging City will probably have started a new martial arts world order. I just hope that by then, Sword Forging City will not be the behind-the-scenes manipulator that suppresses the various sects, but rather a promoter of the flourishing of martial arts."

Upon hearing this, the Sword Master's eyes lit up, and he looked intently at Gu Xu, tentatively asking, "What do you mean by that, Daoist Master...?"

"My practice will soon be completed, and there are some things I need to tell the city lord."

Gu Xu straightened his expression and looked at the Sword Master.

"Please speak, Daoist Master, I will certainly do as you say."

"I'm sure the city lord has always been curious about my origins. In fact, I am not from this world. I came here by chance."

A seemingly ordinary sentence struck Sword Master like a thunderbolt, leaving him unable to calm down. It took him a while to recover, and he stared blankly at Gu Xu, muttering, "No wonder the Daoist Master knows some martial arts he's never seen before, all sorts of wondrous techniques, and possesses all sorts of unbelievable, heaven-reaching abilities. Daoist Master, Guan Yutian has been investigating your background all this time. Did he see something?"

"This humble Taoist does not know. The city lord knows that I come from beyond the universe. Does he not want to know what the world is like beyond this universe?"

Gu Xu looked at the Sword Master, who had already calmed down. Upon hearing this, the latter chuckled and said, "It is already a great blessing for me, the Daoist, to tell me about my origins. Why ask any more questions? Besides, although I do not know what the world outside is like, anyone who wants to leave this world must be a hero of all ages. I know that I am not such a person, so I do not need to ask any more questions, lest I disturb my mind."

After the Sword Master finished speaking, Gu Xu nodded in satisfaction. It was indeed the case. The barrier of this world was quite strong. Only those favored by heaven and earth could break through the confinement. Having been in this world for ten years, he had seen all the outstanding figures. Only Yan Zangfeng and Ren Qianxing had this ability. However, the latter had become a cripple and it was not possible for the time being. Only when Gu Xu left this world and the strange power attached to him was erased, perhaps one day he could break through the confinement and soar into the sky.

"I admire the City Lord for upholding his principles. However, the City Lord need not underestimate himself. As long as this world continues to advance and the martial spirit endures, one day more and more people will break free from the shackles. The City Lord may not be here, but the world will remember his deeds and pass them down for generations!"

Upon hearing this, Sword Master's heart burned with excitement. He looked at Gu Xu with great enthusiasm. If what the Daoist said was true, then he was indeed a pioneer of the Dao, and this honor would be immense.

"Please enlighten me, Daoist Master!"

Sword Master clasped his hands and solemnly bowed to Gu Xu. This time, Gu Xu did not refuse. After accepting the bow, he said to Sword Master, "I don't need to say much about the early stage of restoring the vitality of the martial arts world. It will take at least twenty or thirty years. After that, the city lord can hold a martial arts tournament every three years to select the top thirty and let them enter the secret realm for cultivation."

"Secret realm?"

"Indeed, before I depart, I will leave behind a secret realm in Sword Forging City. Anyone who cultivates there in one day will have the equivalent of a hundred days of cultivation outside."

Upon hearing this, the Sword Master was immediately shocked and looked at Gu Xu in disbelief. If such a secret realm were controlled by a powerful force, it would be able to remain prosperous for a long time and watch the changes in the martial world.

"Being near the water tower, one gets the moon first. The Sword Forging City Secret Realm will naturally treat the people of Sword Forging City well, sending three people in for three months of cultivation each year. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

"I will never forget your great kindness, Daoist Master!"

Sword Master took a deep breath and bowed to Gu Xu again. This Taoist priest had simply given Sword Casting City an inexhaustible treasure. At this moment, he could think of nothing but gratitude. With this secret realm in hand, as long as the younger generation did not act recklessly, Sword Casting City would be able to continue its legacy forever and truly become a holy land of the martial arts world.

"As for what happens next, I will not interfere. How far things will go depends on the fate of future generations."

Gu Xu looked back at the magnificent Sword City. Under the Sword Venerable's horrified gaze, Gu Xu's figure continued to rise, finally stopping a hundred feet above the ground. The surrounding clouds surged and the wind howled. Gu Xu threw out pieces of crystal-clear jade stones, which floated in the air. He then drew a line with his fingers, and five-colored light flashed continuously in the sky. In just a few breaths, mysterious runes appeared on the jade stones, their spiritual light suddenly intensifying before receding.

An hour later, the jade stone covered with runes shimmered with multicolored light. Driven by Gu Xu's will, it fell towards the Sword Casting City below, descending in the order of the Four Symbols and Eight Trigrams. After sinking into the ground, it sank a hundred feet underground and successfully connected with the earth's veins. Suddenly, white mist rose from all sides of the Sword Casting City, and in an instant, it enveloped the city.

Just as the people in the city were filled with fear and unease, the Sword Master's voice clearly appeared in everyone's ears. Upon hearing that it was Daoist Gu Xu who was using his supernatural powers, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, don't you think the air feels a little different?" Someone took a deep breath, and as soon as the air entered their lungs, a warm current spontaneously arose within their body, soothing their meridians.

"You're right, I feel much lighter now. Could it be because of the white mist?"

"It should be. This Taoist priest is incredibly powerful, so it's not surprising that he could come up with these things."

Gu Xu looked at the white mist that had condensed into a ball and nodded in satisfaction. The earth's energy had finally been drawn out, and things would be much easier from here on out.

Looking at the lava volcano, Gu Xu reached out and grasped it. A flash of white light appeared, and the Kui Dragon Ruyi was in his hand. He pointed it at the lava volcano, and the volcano trembled slightly. Then, the fiery energy contained in the volcano's ground was absorbed and refined into a blazing fire that merged into the white mist. Instantly, the white mist was vaporized and rose into the sky, forming a woven net of smoke and clouds above the Sword Forging City.

Seeing this, Gu Xu once again summoned the Soul-Cleansing and Heart-Purifying Mirror. Its clear light was like water, and when it shone on the moonlight, it reflected back down, spreading the cold moonlight and shining on the Qi Net. Instantly, Bagua runes appeared on the Qi Net, corresponding to wind, thunder, water, fire, heaven, earth, mountains, and marshes, each shining with its own light. Immediately, the spiritual light in the sky shone brightly, illuminating half of the sky. After a while, the Qi Net slowly dissipated.

A mile away from the lava volcano, nestled among low hills, a deep black hole slowly opened, its surroundings billowing air, howling winds, and countless flashes of lightning. The white mist in Sword Forging City vanished instantly, but the Sword Master within the city clearly sensed a surge of vibrant spiritual energy converging towards the Sword Hall. He moved swiftly back to the main hall, and upon seeing Yan Cangfeng rushing towards him, his face filled with emotion, the Sword Master nodded to him.

"Lord of the City, is this matter related to the Taoist priest?" Huangfu Changhen stepped forward and asked.

Master Sixin also turned her gaze over. Upon hearing this, Sword Master took a deep breath and said solemnly, "This matter is indeed related to the Daoist Master. Please, none of you should speak of this matter to anyone, as it concerns the future..."

Just then, Sword Master noticed the change in the aura outside. Huangfu Changhen and Master Sixin also sensed it at the same time. The three of them exchanged a glance and rushed out of the hall. Yan Cangfeng followed them in haste. When the four of them arrived in front of the black hole, they found that Daoist Gu Xu was already standing there.

"Taoist Master."

After exchanging greetings, Huangfu Changhen looked at the black hole that was absorbing energy and sensed a strong spiritual energy emanating from it. His heart stirred, and he said to Gu Xu, "Daoist, could this be the legendary blessed land?"

"I suppose so, but it's far inferior to a true blessed land. It can only be called a minor blessed land. Inside, there is a spirit-gathering array, which uses the earth's veins and the light of heaven as its elements. As long as these two elements remain intact, the array can continue to operate indefinitely."

After Gu Xu said a few words, a flash of light appeared in his hand, and a Yin-Yang jade pendant appeared. He handed it to the Sword Master, who hurriedly took it. Huangfu Changhen and Master Sixin were immediately envious. With such a small paradise, as long as the descendants of Sword Casting City did not go astray, they could prosper forever, unlike other sects that had to worry about decline and extinction.

"The jade pendant accumulates power every three years. During the twenty or thirty years that the martial world recovers, it will be enough for your sects to gain a huge advantage. As for the future martial arts tournament, the city lord must also uphold fairness and not allow the Sword Forging City to use it for profit. Otherwise, the heavens will bring calamity, and it will be too late to regret it."

Gu Xu gave a solemn instruction, and the Sword Master immediately responded and came down. Huangfu Changhen and the other two were also delighted to hear this. Although they were still not as good as the Sword Casting City, they were much better than other sects. At least Master Sixin was very happy.

“Yiyi’s Seven Absolutes Zither has reached its bottleneck. If she can cultivate in this grotto-heaven, she will surely be able to break through it soon and take over the position of sect leader.”

Master Sixin has already decided that at least three reliable disciples should be selected from the sect to cultivate here and be trained as elders to support the sect leader. This will also change the previous problem of the Sixin Sect's lack of experts, so that the sect will not only have the sect leader as a capable person.

Huangfu Changhen thought that although he was old, he should take on more disciples in the future to pass on the unique skill of the Thousand-Mile Whip Thunder. Although Xiaoyao Lang was personally taught the skill by him, he was still a disciple of the Wine Immortal and had some flaws, so he could not be considered a proper successor.

Yan Zangfeng looked at the swirling air currents in the cave, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. Having experienced so much, Yan Zangfeng was no longer the ignorant and naive person he once was. Now, he had mastered the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Technique to its highest level. However, to break through the boundaries of heaven and earth and ascend to immortality as the Daoist had said, he still had a long way to go. What he lacked now was foundation, but the Daoist had given him that opportunity.

"After fulfilling my duties of human relations and filial piety, I will come here to cultivate myself."

A fleeting tenderness crossed Yan Zangfeng's eyes as he thought of his mother and Liu Yiyi.

Sword Master listened as Gu Xu taught him the incantation for opening and closing the secret realm. After reciting it three times in his mind, Sword Master opened his eyes, nodded to Gu Xu, and then raised the Yin-Yang Jade Pendant with his right hand, chanting incantations. The jade pendant flashed with black and white light, and instantly a Tai Chi Yin-Yang fish sealed the entrance to the secret realm. After the black and white light flashed nine times, the black hole disappeared.

"Everyone, see you later."

After bowing to everyone, Gu Xu transformed into a beam of light and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

"Alas, I wonder if we will ever meet again, Daoist Master."

Huangfu Changhen sighed. Although he did not know Gu Xu's origins, the supernatural power and strength that the latter displayed in his every move shocked him. He even had a ridiculous idea that Gu Xu was not from this world.

"Everyone, let's go back to the main hall first. Judging by the time, Jianxiong and the others should be back by now."

After leaving Sword Master and the others, Gu Xu transformed into light, traveling a thousand miles in an instant, and finally arrived at the old site of the East Sea Shark Palace. Reaching the highest peak, he looked at the cold moon in the sky, sat down cross-legged, and let the cold wind blow on his face. He calmed his mind and focused his consciousness. He saw that the jade pendant was now shining brightly, illuminating his consciousness.

"This world has a deep foundation, but there are not many outstanding people. I used to think that this world was intentionally suppressing them, but now it seems that this world looks down on the outstanding people who come from this place. It would rather not have them than let someone who is mediocre pass as an equal."

Gu Xu used the jade pendant to look through the sky towards the outside world and found that the barrier was indeed more resilient than the previous worlds. The heroes from those other places would probably be powerless to break through the barrier and escape into the sky if they landed here.

"However, my backup plan will still have some effect. This world has a solid foundation, and in the next hundred years it will surely see a great number of outstanding people emerge."

Having experienced so many worlds, Gu Xu also realized that the more people who break through the void and ascend to immortality in a world, the more advanced that world becomes, which in turn feeds back into it, forming a virtuous cycle.

"Now that this matter is settled, it's time to leave." With a determined mind, Gu Xu connected with the jade pendant, and a five-colored light enveloped him. When the light dissipated, Gu Xu's figure had vanished.

Watching the world of the Demonic Sword Chess of Life and Death gradually recede into the distance, Gu Xu withdrew his gaze. Sword light swirled around him, slicing through the incoming Chaos Annihilation Light and rushing towards another magnificent and mysterious world. There, spiritual light shone brightly, making it very conspicuous even in this dark universe. Although it looked very close, it took Gu Xu three years to travel with his sword light to reach it.

What appeared before them was a dazzling nebula, its interior shimmering with light, and the stars arranged in an orderly fashion. The largest of these stars was entirely verdant, emanating a vibrant life force that formed a barrier around it.

"So this is the world. This is quite interesting."

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp sword light tore through the air barrier, shooting straight in like a shooting star.

(End of this chapter)