The Great Martial Saint!

Whoosh!
Chen Ping'an concealed his fluctuations and sped away in a flash of light.

This encounter was truly a coincidence.

Chen Ping'an had several strategies in mind for dealing with Black Rock Monster, but he had not yet made a final decision.

The specific strategy will depend on how Black Rock Monster ultimately reacts.

Chen Ping'an had not anticipated that the Black Rock Monster would possess such a temperament and spirit.

Even so, he did give Black Rock Monster a chance.

Of the resources in the Thousand Machine Bag, he only took one item: the near-fourth-tier spirit boat that Old Monster Black Rock had previously purchased at the Xuanling Auction.

Although its rank wasn't particularly high, it still had a significant effect on Chen Ping'an.

With proper modifications, it can serve as a vehicle for his clandestine travels. While traveling, he can also continue his daily cultivation and study of secret techniques, with the only drawback being a slight consumption of elemental crystals.

Compared to the Yuan Crystals that were consumed, Chen Ping'an's daily cultivation was undoubtedly more important.

Strictly speaking, his main conflicts with Old Monster Black Rock stemmed from two incidents. The first, strictly speaking, wasn't a serious matter. He had already regained his composure before the Xuanling Auction. As for the second incident, its magnitude depended entirely on his own feelings.

He had previously planned to refine his blood a second time, and it was through trading the Golden-Patterned Xuan Turtle True Blood with the Black Rock Old Monster that he obtained it. Although it was a fair trade, and he even suffered a small loss, strictly speaking, the Black Rock Old Monster had provided him with some assistance.

Now that the other party is determined to live and still possesses both spirit and courage, Chen Ping'an naturally spared his life and did not take ruthless action.

However, while it's easy to spare Black Rock Monster's life, how to deal with him afterwards is another problem.

Although Black Rock Old Monster is only a pseudo-Celestial Being, he is absolutely top-tier among pseudo-Celestial Beings. Controlling him properly is no easy task. Chen Ping'an also doesn't have the energy to constantly expend his attention.

Ultimately, he chose the Blood Forbidden Technique from the Seven Forbidden Techniques.

His blood-forbidden technique was considered to be quite advanced, and when activated by his spiritual foundation, its effects were excellent.

Previously, when he had just entered the Celestial Realm, he had used this to guide Shen Huiqing and establish his absolute leadership position within Xuanling Heavy City. Now, with his cultivation advancing further and the Black Rock Old Monster voluntarily opening his mind, this restriction, primarily for warning purposes, is slightly less difficult.

Due to a number of factors, he was able to leave a hidden, restricted door within the Black Rock Monster's spiritual platform.

In fact, if time were not a factor, Chen Ping'an could have easily planted a more effective restriction. However, this time he focused on warning and alerting, and the restriction he planted was not too ruthless, prioritizing ensuring the survival of the restriction over time.

Within a certain distance, Chen Ping'an can sense this restriction. Activating it allows him to pinpoint the opponent's location, and he can also use it to influence the Black Rock Monster's spiritual foundation.

Although it cannot kill the opponent, it is enough to shake their foundation.

Compared to a matter of life and death, the threat posed by this restriction is considerably weaker. However, given the temperament Black Rock Old Monster has previously displayed, simply manipulating him is useless unless Chen Ping'an's skill level allows him to create an unbreakable life-or-death restriction. Otherwise, if the effect becomes too severe, Black Rock Old Monster will definitely try every means to break this restriction.

If that's the case, Chen Ping'an might as well take a step back, focusing on issuing a warning rather than endangering his life, thus leaving Black Rock Old Monster some room for maneuver.

Only after ensuring his life is secured should he consider pledged allegiance. To call it pledge of allegiance wouldn't be quite right; Chen Ping'an simply recruited a subordinate member under the guise of a secret organization.

As for the organization's name, Chen Ping'an consulted classical texts and made one up. He originally wanted something high-class, like the Lingxiao Palace or the Ancient Heavenly Court, but ultimately decided it was too ostentatious. While his current strength was barely enough, his perspective wasn't broad enough. Sometimes, it was better to be more low-key.

Furthermore, if he were to grow powerful and his reputation spread, attracting the attention of the dynasty, that would be disastrous. He would be creating trouble for himself for no reason.

It must be said that the Purple-Eyed Demon Lord, in his heyday, once commanded a powerful force and enjoyed a period of glory. However, ultimately, with the fall of the Purple-Eyed Demon Lord, the force disintegrated and vanished in the lingering echoes of time.

Chen Ping'an did put some thought into the so-called number one person in the organization.

Those who can cultivate to the level of a pseudo-celestial being include those with temperaments like the Black Rock Monster, who cannot be easily manipulated. Therefore, Chen Ping'an also offered a pie in the sky.

It wouldn't be accurate to call it empty promises. If Old Monster Black Rock could truly meet his expectations, work diligently, and fulfill his duties, he would gladly bestow upon him a fortunate opportunity in the future.

The Black Rock Monster's soul is flawed, and his cultivation path is severed. If he wants to continue cultivating, he must rebuild his cultivation path.

Natural treasures like Yin-Yang Dew have the potential to allow one to continue their path to enlightenment. While the success rate isn't 100%, with the addition of certain methods, there's a very high chance of being able to continue one's path.

However, he already had plans for the remaining Yin-Yang Dew. Even if Black Rock Old Monster needed it, he would never trade it to him. Giving it away for free was even more out of the question.

However, the journey is long, and there will eventually be an opportunity to obtain something similar. If such an opportunity arises, it would certainly be a gift to Old Monster Blackrock.

As things stand, Chen Ping'an doesn't arrange anything like that.

But what he said wasn't about getting something for nothing.

Black Rock Old Monster has a body-strengthening technique. If he were to switch to body-refining, this path could not be said to be completely cut off, and there would still be room for progress.

However, compared to normal cultivation methods, it is several times more difficult.

Normally, while external martial arts training methods are designed to hone the physique, their core essence remains the traditional cultivation methods of martial arts. The benefits of external martial arts training are simply the effects of these methods.

Such as the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Technique, and Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Technique that Chen Ping'an cultivated.

Although both involve external body training, this kind of body training is not the same concept as simply training the physical body.

The former is based on cultivation level and spiritual essence, while the latter is aimed at physical foundation, muscles, bones, and flesh.

With all paths to enlightenment severed, the former, no matter how much they cultivate, will find it difficult to achieve a qualitative leap, only gaining more means of combat. But the latter, through the path of body refinement, can forge a new path.

However, the vast majority of pseudo-celestial beings may not possess this talent. Even if they do have some talent, and invest the effort to go through the process again, by the time they reach the same level of body refinement as their cultivation realm, they will probably already be old and frail.

There is absolutely no hope of breaking through.

Simply refining the body to reach the fourth level is no easier than breaking through barriers and ascending to the realm of celestial beings.

However, Chen Ping'an observed that Old Monster Black Rock possessed considerable talent in body refinement. He had also put in considerable effort in this area. If he were to switch to body cultivation, the difficulty would be significantly less than for ordinary pseudo-celestial beings. Furthermore, Old Monster Black Rock already had a foundation in external physical training, which would further enhance his abilities.

The Azure Sun Blood Refining Method in Chen Ping'an's possession is an orthodox body-refining method, or more precisely, a niche branch of body-refining methods, a secret body-tempering technique. But in any case, it follows a path that does not rely on cultivation level.

In a way, this Black Rock Monster could be considered a shareholder of Yuanshi.

As for the future, that depends on whether he can seize the opportunity. Furthermore, there's the question of whether his so-called organization, which he started on a whim, can truly grow into a powerful force and stir up trouble.

Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted, but he didn't think too much about it.

It's just a minor move, so even if I fail, it won't matter.

This encounter was somewhat fruitful; I obtained a small spirit boat that was close to the fourth tier, an Ice Soul Snow Lotus, and a piece of refined mystic ore.

Whoosh!
The escape light sped by, and Chen Ping'an drove it towards Black Mist Valley.

These successive encounters made him feel like a long time had passed. But thinking about it carefully, including the time he spent practicing the Five Poisons Earthly Fiend Palm, it hadn't exceeded three days in total.

Chen Ping'an's figure changed, his bones throbbed, and in the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a different person.

Whoosh!
With a flash of black light, the majestic figure of the Black Rock Monster landed in a beautiful valley.

"This"

Seeing the valley littered with corpses and devastation, Black Rock Old Monster was shocked and incredulous.

Where is Lao Cheng?

His body was surging with energy, his breath was scorching hot, and waves of heat were rolling around him.

He walked around the valley but didn't see a single survivor. Bloodstains were everywhere in the valley; some bodies were mangled, while others were barely recognizable as corpses.

The medicinal herb garden in the valley had long been completely destroyed. Not a single one of the herbs that never grew was left behind.

Except for a few isolated areas, the rest of the valley showed no signs of battle. It didn't resemble the aftermath of a fierce resistance. The fact that not a single one of the many people inside escaped suggests that the invading enemy was highly skilled.

"A celestial being! Absolutely a celestial being!"

Black Rock Old Monster felt a chill run down his spine; the rumbling blood and qi seemed to offer him no sense of security whatsoever.

"It's him?"

The image of the black-robed old monster lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

Celestial beings are rare to begin with, let alone two appearing in such a short period of time.

He rushed to provide reinforcements, and the other party happened to appear. No matter how you look at it, the other party is highly likely to be involved.

just
The last vestige of his conviction seemed unlikely.

If it were him, why would he need to do this?
If it weren't for him, he would have saved my life by stopping me halfway.
Black Rock Old Monster's thoughts shifted, and his emotions became somewhat complicated.

However, his complicated situation did not last long. A beam of red light shot out, and an old man in a red robe wearing a crown landed.

"Black Rock".

"Elder, what are you doing here?" Old Monster Black Rock looked surprised and doubtful, clearly not expecting the other party to be here.

"I happened to be passing by this place and sensed the aura of celestial beings." The old man's expression turned somewhat solemn as he sensed the scene within the valley with his divine soul.

"A divine intervention!"

He looked around and then fixed his gaze on Old Monster Black Rock: "Black Rock, how long have you been here?"

"Reporting to the Supreme Elder, I also just arrived recently."

The old man remained silent. Although he was exquisitely dressed, he exuded a fierce and intense heat. This aura far surpassed that of the Black Rock Monster.

Hengshan Sect, Supreme Elder, True Man Hongfeng.

Chang Zhen, a disciple of the Hengshan Sect, has already reached the threshold of the second realm in terms of cultivation. He is only one step away from truly overcoming the obstacle and becoming a Celestial Being with a rainbow-piercing spirit.

“These are turbulent times.” Master Hongfeng remained silent for a long time before finally uttering these words.

The matter of Xiquan Valley was also a very important event for the Yokoyama sect.

It's not just a loss of resources, but also an overdraft of the sect's prestige.

A series of subsequent upheavals and waves can be foreseen.

Over the next half day, reinforcements arrived one after another. Black Rock Old Monster also learned a shocking piece of news from the sect's Supreme Elder that made his heart tremble.

"A war between celestial beings and humans?" Old Monster Black Rock was somewhat shocked.

Aside from a few occasions like exploring secret realms and hunting demons, it has been many years since we've heard of any great battle between celestial beings and humans within the state.

This time the distance was so close, yet according to the Supreme Elder, it happened hundreds of miles away.

“Yes, judging from the traces left behind, it was indeed a battle at the Celestial level. However, judging from the traces at the scene, the battle should have lasted only a short time, and the outcome is unknown.” Master Hongfeng’s expression was somewhat solemn.

The battle between the celestial beings and the human race is no small matter for either side. Especially given the current situation, with the attack on Xiquan Valley, it only adds to the suspicion.

"The outcome is unknown?" Hearing the words of the Supreme Elder, for some reason, Black Rock Old Monster thought of that black-robed old monster.

Could it be him?

There couldn't possibly be any other celestial beings within such a close range!
Who is the other celestial being?
A fierce battle between celestial beings and humans erupted briefly, spanning less than a thousand miles, with an unknown outcome.
Black Rock Old Monster's emotions were shifting, and he vaguely grasped some of the underlying patterns, but he couldn't quite make sense of them or figure them out.

If there really was a fierce fight, why is the other party so calm and composed, so unhurried, not at all like someone who has just fought? Beneath that cold and deathly silence lies an indescribable confidence.

Any event that could bring together celestial beings and humans is certainly no small matter. The two sides will be entangled for a long time, and there is only one possibility for a short-term halt: one side will flee.

If that's the case, the other side will definitely pursue relentlessly, and even if they do pursue for a long time, they won't give up easily.

If the person who made the move was truly that old monster, why would he have the leisure to chat, discuss, and recruit others?
Black Rock Old Monster's emotions were in turmoil, as if he had grasped the essence of this incident.

"Could it be that"

Black Rock Monster's pupils widened suddenly, his blood surged, and a possibility that should never have occurred under normal circumstances surfaced in his mind.

The great battle was over, and standing at the forefront of the tide, the old monster was able to remain so calm because...
Old Monster Black Rock was utterly astonished and speechless with shock.

Considering all the details, although such a conjecture seemed somewhat far-fetched, the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Old Monster Black Rock's mood was off, but True Master Red Peak didn't pay much attention. Having just experienced a major event, and now hearing this shocking news, it wasn't surprising that Black Rock was in such a mood.

"Black Rock, have you sensed any auras along the way?" Master Hongfeng asked.

breath?

Hei Yan hesitated, but ultimately brought up the matter of the Black-Robed Monster.

He dared not lie in front of the Supreme Elder, but when the relevant matters were mentioned, he chose to conceal part of the truth.

For example, when the two sides make contact, the issue of prohibition arises.

He mentioned that meeting the other party ultimately resulted in him losing money to avoid further trouble.

"This is outrageous!" Master Hongfeng exclaimed in fury upon hearing this.

No matter what, Heiyan is still a member of the Hengshan Sect. The fact that the other party has done this time and time again clearly shows that they don't take the Hengshan Sect seriously.

Is this situation no different from extortion?

Fortunately, the other party still had reservations and did not actually make a move.

It took Hongfeng Zhenren quite a while to regain his composure. As a martial arts master who had refined his external martial arts techniques, Hongfeng Zhenren was naturally known for his fiery temper. His current behavior was the result of years of self-cultivation.

"Black Rock, rest assured, if we encounter each other in the future, the sect will definitely seek justice for you and demand an explanation," said True Person Red Peak with a confident expression.

As a martial arts master renowned throughout the seventeen states of Bi Cang, Master Hongfeng had this confidence. Both the Hengshan Sect he relied on and his own strength were enough to support him in doing this.

As a veteran martial arts master of the Hengshan Sect and a peerless genius in his time, Master Hongfeng possesses his own pride and confidence.

Even after cultivating to the Celestial Realm, his martial arts level never stagnated. He had already reached the perfection of the first realm long ago.

Now, he has even reached the edge of the second realm, just a hair's breadth away from stepping into this realm.

Furthermore, the cultivation method he practiced was a treasured secret technique of the Hengshan Sect. With a strong physique and vigorous blood and energy, practitioners of physical cultivation were already known for being difficult to deal with. However, he also supplemented this with a method for cultivating the soul, making the two methods compatible and extremely difficult to deal with.

He also possessed a secret treasure, though its quality was slightly flawed and inferior to a true treasure, it still possessed unparalleled power among pseudo-treasures.

He has everything: a solid foundation in cultivation techniques, advanced cultivation level, protective resources, and spiritual items to enhance his abilities. If he were to encounter such a person in the future, how could they possibly compare to him?
Aside from their strength and foundation, Hengshan Sect is the true home turf within the Bi Cang region!
Seeing the confident look on Hongfeng Zhenren's face, Heiyan Laoguai wanted to say something, but considering that he was about to log off, he ultimately said nothing.

If his guess is true, and the Supreme Elder really comes knocking on their door, then I'm afraid...
With this thought in mind, Old Monster Black Rock still hesitated before finally saying something.

"These are mere external matters; it's best not to disturb the Supreme Elder's peaceful cultivation."

“Secluded cultivation? Hahahaha!” Master Hongfeng laughed loudly upon hearing this: “Heiyan, when did you start speaking so pedantically! I cultivate my physique through physical training, what kind of secluded cultivation is this?”

Upon hearing this, Old Monster Black Rock's lips twitched involuntarily.

After hearing "cultivate in seclusion" so many times from that old monster, he couldn't help but blurt out this phrase himself.

Fengyun Palace?
Why have I never heard of this organization?
Now that I've joined this organization, although it doesn't mean I've betrayed my sect, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse!
after all
Let's just take it one step at a time!

The Black Rock Monster's body was composed of stacked blocks, his blood and qi surging, and his gaze was resolute as he looked towards the sky above the valley.

No matter what, Black Rock will never stop here!
"By the way, what about the Sword Pavilion this time?" Master Hongfeng brought up the main purpose of the trip.

Upon hearing this, Old Monster Black Rock became serious, listening to the secret information coming from the Supreme Elder.

"It's very likely that the Sword Pavilion of Inquiry has produced another Celestial Being!" True Person Hongfeng's expression was solemn, with a hint of resentment.

"What?" Old Monster Black Rock looked stunned, his mind jolted, and he blurted out subconsciously, "Shen Linyuan?"

Master Hongfeng didn't speak, he just nodded.

A new Celestial Being will inevitably influence the sect rivalry and even the power dynamics of Azure Sky.

Black Rock Old Monster stood still, his expression shifting, lost in thought.

got windy.

"arrive."

With a flash of light, Chen Ping'an gazed down at the quiet valley shrouded in black mist.

Through his spiritual perception, he had already sensed Lan Yingjun's aura.

Although there were restrictions within Black Mist Valley, these restrictions could no longer conceal his divine sense.

Whoosh!
With a flash of light, Chen Ping'an landed steadily in the Black Mist Valley.

In the wooden cabin and thatched hut, a bright-eyed young girl just turned her head to look.

Then I saw a gentle smile, and
"Miss Blue."

Chen Ping'an, dressed in a blue robe, stood outside the fence, like a ray of midday sunlight.

The girl smiled, her eyes bright and lively.

"Brother Chen, you're back."

"Well, I'm back." (End of this chapter)