Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 432 War Between Two Sects

The consensus on martial arts is a collection of cultivation experiences summarized by the martial arts community over many years.

The martial arts of the Yan Dynasty flourished for an unknown period of time, and many of its consensuses were even recognized by experts at the Myriad Manifestations Realm.

As a genius disciple of the Thousand Machines Sect, Zeng Xi knew that the sect was not without experts at the Myriad Manifestations Realm. If a martial artist could possess several innate martial wills at the same time, the higher-ups of the Thousand Machines Sect would not have kept it from Zeng Xi.

Especially since Zeng Xi came to the Canglan Secret Realm, even though this secret was not suitable for public disclosure, he would still inform her privately.

"Brother Lin, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing the thoughtful look on Lin Chen's face, Zeng Xi asked curiously.

"I'm just curious, what kind of martial arts will would make Brother Zeng give up?"

"Weapon-based martial arts will, especially a halberd... doesn't quite fit my path of martial arts cultivation."

Zeng Xi did not hide anything; once he discovered that the weapon inside was the martial arts will of a halberd, he lost interest.

He could certainly comprehend the flawless martial will of this halberd by defeating the Azure Beast, and forge a halberd for himself as a weapon in the future.

However, this can only increase his strength in the short term, and in the long run, it will actually limit his potential.

"Brother Lin didn't grow up in the Yan Dynasty, so he may not be familiar with some things. It is true that flawless martial will can increase strength, especially from the first to the third stage of the Innate Realm. But our goal is naturally not just the third stage of the Innate Realm. If we want to go higher, it is best to match our own martial will."

Considering that Lin Chen came from the later Yan Dynasty, he might not understand these principles that even the genius martial artists of the Yan Dynasty understood. Lin Chen might not know them, and as for the elders of the Canglan Sect, they had never accepted a disciple like Lin Chen from a martial arts wasteland before, and might even have overlooked informing Lin Chen of these things. Zeng Xi explained:
"There is a saying in the martial arts world: a refined martial arts will that matches one's own is better than a flawless martial arts will that does not match one's own. Of course, most people comprehend a martial arts will that matches their own; if it does not match, it is impossible to comprehend it, except for the Canglan Secret Realm."

Lin Chen smiled. He understood what Zeng Xi meant. If he wanted to improve his strength in the short term, the flawless level martial arts will would naturally be better. Regardless of whether it suited him or not, he had comprehended it.

Those at the first, second, or even third level of the Innate Realm, with their flawless martial will, can unleash power far exceeding that of other martial artists.

However, things might change in the future for the four realms of innate beings and even higher realms.

Both he and Zeng Xi were outstanding disciples of their respective sects, and their ultimate goal on the path of martial arts would certainly not be limited to the third realm of the Innate Realm.

If their goal is simply to cultivate to the third level of the Innate Realm, then they need not travel outside at all, nor do they need many opportunities; they can simply stay in the sect and follow the established procedures.

Most martial artists do not have a special place like the Canglan Secret Realm where they can obtain innate martial will. Their martial will is something they comprehend based on their own cultivation, and it is extremely compatible with themselves.

In the Canglan Secret Realm, these bubbles containing martial arts wills are random, and you will encounter martial arts wills that are not compatible with your own martial arts.

"Brother Lin, it seems you have successfully acquired the martial will, but is it compatible with you?" Zeng Xi asked with some concern after explaining, considering that Lin Chen had grasped it earlier than him.

"Yes, it suits me perfectly."

Lin Chen nodded. He couldn't very well tell Zeng Xi that he hadn't cared about these things at all, since according to the reminder from [Racing Against Time], he had a chance to merge.

Even without the reminder of "racing against time," when he saw the stars in his dantian, some of which had formed a spear, while many others still shone brightly on their own, he wouldn't worry about the problem.

"Brother Zeng, is it possible that there is no one in the martial arts world of the Yan Dynasty who can comprehend multiple different kinds of martial arts will?"

"Have."

Zeng Xi's words made Lin Chen's eyes light up.

"These people are all crazy."

Lin Chen: ...

Zeng Xi took a deep breath: "Brother Lin, in principle, your sect's masters should have told you these common sense facts. Martial will is a person's understanding on the path of martial arts. Only when you understand it to a certain degree can you elevate it to will. The soul is like wood, and will is the wood carving. Our cultivation process is the carving. Can one piece of wood be carved into two pieces of wood carving?"

"Swords, spears, halberds, and daggers—surely a martial artist can use multiple weapons? Does that mean they can't comprehend the martial will of these weapons?"

"If you understand one thing, you will understand everything. Suppose Brother Lin uses a sword as a weapon and comprehends the sword's will, does that mean Brother Lin cannot use a knife to express the sword's will?"

Zeng Xi's rhetorical question silenced Lin Chen.

"The will of the sword can still be wielded with a blade, but its power cannot be maximized. The same applies to other weapons. However, if one comprehends the will of the sword and also comprehends the will of other weapons, one's strength will indeed increase, but it will cause a tearing of the soul..."

Seemingly fearing that Lin Chen might not understand, Zeng Xi raised his right hand, and his innate power shot out, condensing into a pillar of light in front of the two of them. Then, he gestured with his right hand on the pillar of light, and a long sword appeared in the middle of the pillar.

"This is a sword intent, and as the sword intent improves..."

As Zeng Xi finished speaking, the longsword in the pillar of light began to grow larger until the entire pillar of light transformed into the shape of a longsword, with not a single detail of the pillar of light being wasted.

"This is the perfect level of sword will."

"But if we comprehend multiple different types of martial arts will as Brother Lin said, this situation will occur."

Zeng Xi raised his hand again, and another pillar of light appeared. This time, not only did a longsword appear on the pillar, but a long spear also appeared. The longsword and the spear grew together, but after a certain point, they each occupied half of the pillar, and finally the pillar split in two.

"When the soul is torn apart and reaches its limit, the soul collapses, and the person is ruined."

"Thank you for your explanation, Brother Zeng."

Lin Chen suddenly realized, and Zeng Xi smiled and said, "Brother Lin, you are too kind. I suppose your sect master did not tell you these things because he thought you probably already knew them. After all, this is common knowledge in the martial arts world of the Yan Dynasty. Your sect master must have overlooked the fact that you come from the desolate martial arts world."

Thank you, senior. I apologize for the inconvenience.

After saying this, Zeng Xi silently apologized in his heart. Elder Bai asked him to befriend Lin Chen so that he could eventually bring Lin Chen to their Thousand Machines Sect.

The Canglan Sect will definitely not release him, so the only option is to make Lin Chen's impression of the Canglan Sect worse, so that Lin Chen will choose to leave the Canglan Sect on his own initiative.

His words were meant to sow discord.

Ignoring it means not valuing it, right?

In fact, Zeng Xi knew very well why Senior Xie hadn't told Lin Chen these things—because it was simply unnecessary.

Even for geniuses like them, possessing a flawless martial will is already the limit; they cannot possess a second flawless martial will because their souls cannot bear a second flawless martial will.

In Zeng Xi's view, Senior Xie was probably planning to tell Lin Chen about these things only after Lin Chen obtained the flawless level martial will in the Canglan Secret Realm.

But isn't Senior Xie afraid that Lin Chen will subdue the refined-level martial will?

With Lin Chen's spiritual strength, he was still able to possess two refined martial wills.

Zeng Xi had this doubt because he didn't know that Lin Chen already had the points from Martial Arts Mountain as a safety net, so he wouldn't care about martial arts will below the flawless level, and therefore the problem he was worried about didn't exist.

"Brother Zeng, please wait here for a moment. I will go and experience the martial will of the flawless halberd."

"?"

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Zeng Xi was stunned. Lin Chen already possessed a flawless martial will, and he wanted to possess a second one?
However, upon further reflection, Zeng Xi realized that she had misunderstood.

Lin Chen's purpose was probably to see for himself.

Defeating the Azure Beast does not mean you have to absorb and comprehend its martial will; you can choose to give up.

If he hadn't yet grasped the proper martial will and needed to conserve his strength, which is why he chose to withdraw from the bubble, he would have fought the Azure Beast just now if he had already grasped it.

The Azure Beast, formed from the flawless martial will, is a peak-level Innate Realm martial artist. Fighting the Azure Beast is equivalent to fighting a martial artist. If you encounter a martial artist with this will in the future, you will have experience in dealing with them.

"Brother Lin is truly a battle maniac. I wish you great success in your first battle."

Upon hearing Zeng Xi's words, Lin Chen knew that Zeng Xi had misunderstood his intentions, but this was exactly what he wanted. He couldn't tell Zeng Xi that he really wanted to comprehend this flawless martial will.

Even if the Thousand Machines Sect and the Canglan Domain have no enmity, and even if he and Zeng Xi get along quite well, he still needs to be wary.

……

Watching Lin Chen's figure enter the seven-colored bubble he had previously entered, Zeng Xi also kept his eyes fixed on the sea surface, waiting for a new bubble of martial arts will to appear.

However, a few dozen breaths later, Zeng Xi's gaze fell on the figure of a man to the side. "You must be a senior brother from the Blood Moon Sect. May I ask your name?"

"Yueshan".

"So it's Brother Yue."

Zeng Xi smiled and spoke. In his nature, he usually wouldn't meddle in other people's business, but what caught his attention about Yue Shan was that he hadn't tried to subdue the Canglan Beast since everyone arrived.

Everyone comes here to defeat the Azure Beast and obtain the martial will. Even if they can't win, they can just give up. But if they succeed, they've made a profit.

"Brother Yue, is it that you don't find any martial arts will that you like?"

Yue Shan shook his head and said with a wry smile, "I know that my strength is no match for yours. I was able to get a spot from the sect to come to the Canglan Secret Realm this time because of good luck. With my strength, I don't have many opportunities to make mistakes. I was thinking of conserving my strength to deal with the Canglan Beasts that are suitable for me."

Zeng Xi understood Yue Shan's meaning. Just like he had just entered the bubble, the martial arts spirit inside was not suitable for him, so he chose to give up.

If you choose to give up instead of being defeated by the Azure Beast, the bubbles will not disappear. In this case, if someone happens to be interested in the martial will of this halberd, the target is clear, and they can enter directly instead of picking them one by one.

He was able to exit unscathed because his spiritual perception was very strong, allowing him to exit immediately. However, this does not mean that others can exit unscathed every time.

Yue Shan's choice was wise.

Having obtained the answer, Zeng Xi no longer cared about Yue Shan. As another colorful bubble rose from the sea, he transformed into an arc of light and shot away.

On the beach, with Zeng Xi and the two Canglan Sect disciples also entering the water, only Yue Shan remained.

Yue Shan's eyes shifted unpredictably, and he reached into the box of odds and ends in his robes. The next moment, a crimson flower appeared in his hand.

call out!
Yue Shan's figure appeared on the sea surface, but instead of heading towards the bubbles, he threw the crimson flower in his hand into the sea.

The red flowers spread like the sea, as dark as ink, and the entire blue sea surface rippled with layers of red ripples, which began to sink towards the seabed. The sea surface quickly returned to its normal blue color.

"I have done everything the elder instructed."

Scanning his surroundings with his divine sense to make sure no one had noticed his actions, Yue Shan rushed toward the nearest bubble and disappeared into it.

……

……

The Eight Desolations Sect.

The sect leader of the Eight Desolations Sect was currently in a secret room with an old man.

After a while, the old man's eyes lit up, and he took out a blood lotus from his bosom.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader Qiao, you've succeeded."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Lingxuan, the sect master of the Eight Desolations Sect, had a glint of light flash in his old eyes.

"Thank you for your help, Brother Zhao."

"Sect Leader Qiao, you're too kind. We'll just have to follow our agreement."

"Brother Zhao, rest assured, the items your clan requested have already been prepared."

"Haha, then I'll take this opportunity to wish your clan a great victory."

The old man got up, said no more to Qiao Lingxuan, and left the secret room.

Watching the old man's figure leave, Qiao Lingxuan's expression kept changing. After more than ten breaths, she walked out of the secret room, and above that secret room was the main hall of the Eight Desolations Sect.

At this moment, more than a dozen elders of the Eight Desolations Sect were waiting here.

"As the thirty-first sect master of the Eight Desolations Sect, I hereby declare that from this day forward, the Eight Desolations Sect and the Canglan Sect shall wage a full-scale war."

In the main hall.

The fourteen elders of the Eight Desolations Sect showed no change in expression, because they had known about it for a long time and had been making preparations for it for several years.

The only difference now is that the start of the war has been brought forward.

The reason for the earlier start of the war was Lin Chen, a newly recruited disciple of the Canglan Sect.

The assassination of Lin Chen was carried out by the Yama Palace, hired by their Eight Desolations Sect.

Now that the Canglan Sect is hunting down the assassins of the Yama Palace, if the Bahuang Sect doesn't take action, the Yama Palace will inevitably be unable to withstand the pressure and will eventually reveal that the Bahuang Sect is the mastermind behind it all.

Rather than waiting for the Canglan Sect to be prepared, it's better to start a war now and catch them off guard.

……

……

The order was given, and all the elders left the main hall. The war between the two super sects involved more than a million martial artists, and these elders were needed to coordinate them.

After announcing the start of the war, Qiao Lingxuan, the sect leader of the Eight Desolations Sect, left the main hall and headed to the forbidden area of ​​the Eight Desolations Sect.

"Uncle-Master, I have declared war on the Canglan Sect."

Qiao Lingxuan looked respectful. Although he was the sect leader, the real decision-makers for the major affairs of the Eight Desolations Sect were still the senior uncles and senior masters at the Myriad Manifestations Realm.

The decision to wage war against the Canglan Sect was made by his senior uncles and master masters five years ago; he was merely the one carrying it out.

Even now, he still doesn't know why his senior uncle and master wanted to go to war with the Canglan Sect.

"We understand."

The only response Qiao Lingxuan received was this one sentence.

……

……

Chixia Pass.

The border between the Canglan Domain and the Eight Desolate Domains.

The entire city gate was bathed in crimson light, resembling blood. Several major battles had broken out between the Canglan Sect and the Bahuang Sect, resulting in countless warriors from both sects and their respective domains shedding their blood on this land.

The red of the crimson sunset is the blood staining the sky.

These words were deeply imprinted in the hearts of the martial artists from both regions who came here.

The Canglan Sect has three elders stationed at Chixia Pass year-round.

One of the elders frowned and asked, "Did you two junior brothers sense it?"

A few breaths later, the other two elders' expressions changed drastically. The three of them exchanged a glance: "The Eight Desolate Sect has invaded!"

Boom!
The sound of bells echoed throughout Chixia Pass. Hundreds of thousands of martial artists, regardless of what they were doing, were stunned when they heard the second bell ring.

Everyone paled at the sight and immediately began heading towards the city gate.

Boom boom boom!
The bells rang one after another.

Outside the pass, the massive army of warriors from the Eight Desolations Sect swept towards Chixia Pass with earth-shaking force.

(End of this chapter)