Wan Jian returns to his clan!

Chapter 196 Unity Realm, Three Lives' Consciousness

“Junior brother, I think that with such powerful sword techniques as the [Eight Swords of Subduing Dragon] and the [Purple Star Divine Sword], there’s really no need for us to learn the nameless sword technique that our senior brother accidentally obtained. In my opinion, his swordsmanship is just so-so.”

Ouyang Lan didn't think there was anything wrong with secretly learning swordsmanship from her senior brother.

Because when the junior brother passed on the sword, he didn't hide it from all his fellow disciples, including the senior brother.

However, he didn't learn it because he couldn't save face... He made an excuse to avoid it before the sword was even passed on.

Later, he made another mistake on the way down the mountain and was punished by being sent to the back of the mountain to face the wall.

Therefore, one cannot blame Lu Wubing for being selfish and refusing to pass on his swordsmanship.

On the contrary, the attitude of the eldest brother, Yue Lingfeng, who was secretly competing with others, was quite obvious. Compared to him, he was simply not magnanimous enough.

Ouyang Lan vaguely understood why he seemed petty and narrow-minded, but she intentionally or unintentionally ignored it.

Whether someone likes or dislikes another person is not something that even their parents can control.

This was entirely his own choice, and his senior brother naturally had no right to interfere.

Because of this, I feel resentful and upset, and I can only say that I have no one else to blame.

Ouyang Lan simply felt that her junior brother, who possessed such formidable swordsmanship, truly didn't need to learn swordsmanship far inferior to her own. It would be a waste of time.

"Senior sister, you've misjudged him. Although our eldest brother's swordsmanship didn't shine during the Ten Thousand Beasts Hall's invasion, it's because his choice was fundamentally flawed."

If he had followed his master's orders and fought against the other twelve ferocious beasts from the beginning, instead of facing the Pig King who was at the Innate Realm, the situation would have been very different.

Even the disciples of our Tianxing Sect and Mingyue Sect wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses.

"It's not that there were no injuries. When the senior brother uses his swordsmanship, he can at least block two experts at the level of ferocious beasts simultaneously."

Thinking of this, Lu Wubing let out a long sigh, a hint of anger rising in his heart.

You might say this guy is no good, but he's really good.

But don't expect this skill to be of much help to yourself.

When faced with real difficulties, he'll say he has to go here or there. He just won't listen to orders and will do things his own way.

To put it bluntly, it's an unstable factor.

Its behavior is completely unpredictable.

Under such circumstances, no matter how strong he is, he still has to worry about whether he has good intentions but does bad things, doing things that seem good but actually have unpleasant results.

"My eldest brother has always been like this; he has always been very opinionated since he was a child."

He outwardly listens to his parents' admonitions, but secretly he does as he pleases.

Ouyang Lan nodded in agreement.

She knew that her senior brother was just that kind of person.

Once he's convinced he's right, nothing anyone says matters.

In his eyes, all talk of the big picture, of forbearance, of rules and regulations, was just a cage imposed on him by the world.

Regardless of their social standing, as long as they are genuine and honest, they are all friends to him.

Before Lu Wubing went up the mountain, he had always lived a carefree and happy life.

Of course, no matter how carefree a person is, if they are constantly hit hard, they will become extremely depressed and unable to be happy even if they want to.

So, a proud figure who has been in the spotlight and played the leading role for many years.

Suddenly, I realized that I wasn't the protagonist of my own life, but rather a dispensable extra. Not even a supporting character.

The disappointment in their hearts can be imagined.

The more this happened, the more he wanted to do something.

prove yourself.

Once a person gets caught in the vicious cycle of proving themselves, they're absolutely unable to escape.

What you do will appear increasingly bizarre and outrageous to others.

Just like this time, he went straight out of the back mountain and charged at the Pig King on his own, almost getting killed.

It seems to prioritize chivalry above all else; if it fails, it's all for the greater good.

In fact, in Ouyang Zheng's eyes, this approach was very immature and brainless.

I am extremely disappointed in him.

"Is his swordsmanship really that strong?"

Ouyang Lan was still struggling with this question. She couldn't imagine any sword technique that could be stronger than her junior brother's indescribably fast "Flowing Light Sword Style".

He couldn't think of any sword technique more exquisite than the [Purple Star Divine Sword], which silently and subtly influenced others' performance.

"Let me put it this way to you. It is said that the four realms of the innate are roughly divided into four realms: [Yin Deficiency], [Yang Abundance], [Ultimate Intent], and [Return to Truth].

The [Yin Deficiency] realm is where the spirit merges with sword energy, affecting the opponent's spirit and causing them to experience various illusions, leading to various incorrect judgments and preventing them from seeing the fatal threat.

When facing an enemy of this caliber, the best approach is naturally to launch a full-scale attack, leaving no room for retreat, and overwhelm the master with sheer force...

Of course, the most likely outcome is a single, devastating attack; if it fails to kill the opponent, it will be yours that dies.

"That's true."

Ouyang Lan has grown very quickly since she came out this time.

He also exchanged a few blows with masters such as the Pig King and the Green Snake King.

Not a match at all.

Of course, I understand how difficult it is to fight against these masters who have cultivated martial intent at the innate realm.

When facing the Pig King, before he could even make a move, the opponent's divine intent struck him, and he felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him.

There was no way to dodge from any direction; charging left and right, all they could do was fight the opponent head-on.

That time, if it weren't for my father holding the line and taking over the battle, I probably wouldn't have been able to withstand more than a few moves, and the situation would have become very bad.

As for the Green Snake King...

Before they could even get close to their opponent, they were already losing focus just by listening to the sound of the snake flute, and they saw a series of phantoms before their eyes.

They wanted to jump around wildly to dodge attacks that didn't even exist.

After assessing the situation, Ouyang Lan concluded that she could still put up a fight against a first-rank expert.

If I were to truly face a master of the Innate Yin Deficiency Realm, I would have no chance of defeating them.

"The [Yang Shi] realm is the second innate realm, a further step beyond the attack of illusory spiritual power. It transforms the illusory into the real, enabling it to independently manifest in the world and attack opponents."

It's worth noting that this solidified spiritual will is difficult to defend against and is ubiquitous. When encountering an enemy of this level, Senior Sister, you should simply flee; don't even think about defeating them.

"Don't worry, I won't overestimate my abilities."

Ouyang Lan smiled, knowing that her junior brother never lied and had no intention of trying anything.

"That's good, because once you reach the [Yang Realm], your spiritual power can transform the illusory into the real."

Just like Master Bi Fenkong of the Ziyang Sect, it is said that when he makes a move, the Six Yangs Burn the Sky, burning away everything in all directions... It really can burn a whole area of ​​trees to ashes.

If you treat this attack as an illusion, you'll suffer a great loss.

"Hmm, what about the [Ultimate Mastery] realm?"

Ouyang Lan was very eager to learn and asked with great interest.

She felt that her junior brother explained things much more clearly than her parents, and he could also describe various details and provide targeted solutions.

"I'm far from reaching the [Ultimate] level. I'm just guessing that I need to push a martial intent to its extreme and integrate my mental will into my emotions. For example, the intent to protect, the intent to kill, and even the intent of Master Bi that burns everything... As for how to deal with it, we'll talk about it later."

"So, Junior Brother, you've actually reached the second stage of the Innate Realm [Yang Realm]?"

Ouyang Lan stared with her mouth agape, unable to recover for a long time.

She had initially listened to it as a story, but now something felt off.

Lu Wubing explained the details of the two realms of [Yin Deficiency] and [Yang Excess] in such detail that she only realized it now.

Having cultivated to this level, how could I not explain in detail?

"Luckily, luckily..."

Lu Wubing chuckled and said, "It's just a breakthrough in sword intent. My internal strength is still far from opening the Heavenly Gate and refining true qi."

"That's still very impressive."

Ouyang Lan pouted and said sourly, then couldn't help but burst out laughing again.

She recalled the first time she taught her junior brother the "Water Drop Force".

He also recalled the scene when he was fleeing under the moonlight and saw his junior brother's swordsmanship and footwork improve rapidly.

At that moment, she felt as if she had met a god.

After so much time has passed, isn't it only natural that Junior Brother has cultivated to the second level of the Innate Realm of Sword Intent?

What's there to be surprised about?

"By the way, weren't we talking about Senior Brother's swordsmanship? Is there anything worth learning from it? How does it relate to the four realms of the Innate Realm?"

"See, it's all because you keep rambling on and on, talking as you walk. If you're any slower, our senior brother will have vanished."

Lu Wubing looked up at the moonlight and suddenly saw a kitten peeking out from the roadside grass, its two eyes, sometimes orange-yellow and sometimes emerald green, sparkling like jewels.

It seems they are greeting each other.

This is a small path.

No need to ask anymore, Senior Brother Yue Lingfeng did not return directly to Tianxing Sect.

Instead, it changed direction midway.

I don't know what happened.

"I told you, something will always happen to him. Expecting him to stay put in one place is wishful thinking."

Lu Wubing rubbed his forehead and shook his head, then turned to exchange a glance with Ouyang Lan before changing direction and following the kitten lightly at a distance. "The reason we talk about the four realms of innate nature is that we must also talk about the [Unity] realm that follows the four realms."

According to ancient texts, after a martial artist cultivates to the fourth realm, "Returning to Truth," they can better comprehend the universe and integrate their mind and true energy into the void.

This step is called "merging with heaven and earth" or "unity of heaven and man". Every move you make can draw upon the energy of heaven and earth and overwhelm people with its power.

"The eldest brother's swordsmanship can actually draw upon a force between heaven and earth; wouldn't you say that swordsmanship is of a high rank?"

"It's so."

Ouyang Lan suddenly realized.

No wonder my junior brother wanted to learn this sword technique.

"I've heard that when the Eight Kings of the world make their move, the heavens and earth change color. It's common for one to destroy an army or another to destroy a city. This must be the application of power."

Ouyang Lan said thoughtfully.

She had heard many stories of martial arts masters since she was a child. Although she was not very clear about the different realms, she immediately understood them after Lu Wubing explained them.

"That should be it. According to my estimation, those Eight Kings of the World should be at the Unity Realm after the Fourth Realm of the Innate Realm. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to establish such a great reputation."

There was a sentence written in hasty handwriting on an ancient book that I couldn't understand at the time, but now I roughly know what it meant. It was something a senior scholar wrote: "The four realms are easy to cultivate, but achieving unity is difficult." Presumably, it refers to the realm of "unity of heaven and man," which is very difficult to break through.

"Then, what about the Supreme Grandmaster?"

Ouyang Lan suddenly thought of something, her face flushed, and her eyes shone with pride.

"Yes, Ancestor Hanhai was once known as the Supreme Grandmaster, whose strength far surpassed that of the Eight Kings of the World, or he had gone very far in the realm of [Unity of Heaven and Man].

Either they've stepped into another level.

As for its exact level, our Heavenly Star Sect's ancient texts don't contain a single word about it. It's estimated that not only the Heavenly Star Sect, but also very few people in other sects know the answer.

Lu Wubing was also somewhat confused, and shook his head, saying, "Regardless of what the [Supreme Grandmaster] realm is, let's just call it the [Void-Breaking Realm] for now. Reaching this level allows one to break through the void and ascend to heaven in rainbow form; it's an inconceivable realm."

"What kind of power it will possess, I'll show it to my senior sister when I've mastered it."

"Alright, I'll wait until you succeed in your cultivation, Junior Brother. You'd better hurry, don't wait until I'm an old woman in my seventies or eighties before you master the Void-Breaking Divine Art. By then, my eyesight will be too dim to see clearly."

"That won't happen."

Lu Wubing patted his chest and laughed.

At this point, the two of them burst into laughter.

Ouyang Lan chuckled twice, then quickly covered her mouth before putting it down again, saying embarrassedly, "I forgot again, is it really true that this sound won't carry?"

"It's a little trick we got from the Eastern Barbarian swordsmen. Seventh Senior Sister and Cheng Liangyu couldn't figure it out. When you have some free time, Senior Sister Xiaolan, why don't you take it and try to understand it too, and see if you can get anything out of it?"

Lu Wubing reached out and pinched it, and the shadows around him quietly transformed into the shape of a large tree. A gentle breeze passed through their bodies, as if passing through a void.

I must say, this "shadow" character image is really useful.

If my strength weren't so inadequate, I should have chased him straight to the sea that day, searched out that old man Guicang, and seen if he had the original map of the Ten Directions Seal on him.

……

Two hours passed.

Lu Wubing and Ouyang Lan, hiding in the shadows of the trees, were completely dumbfounded.

The actions of the eldest disciple, Yue Lingfeng, were truly eye-opening.

It's also puzzling.

At first, he was scolded by his master Ouyang Zheng and ordered to return to the mountain to face the wall in meditation. He never thought of disobeying his master's order.

Even at night.

Even under the clear, mirror-like moonlight, it did not hinder his journey.

Therefore, we proceeded straight ahead towards Mingyang Tianxing Peak, following the proper and conventional route.

But after walking twenty miles, and about ten miles from Liyang City, a change occurred.

During the journey, they encountered a convoy being chased by a large group of masked experts dressed in black, and the convoy was in grave danger.

The person in charge was a young girl in purple, who looked pitiful and delicate, with bright eyebrows and a beautiful nose, so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

Whether it was because the girl in purple was too beautiful, or because Yue Lingfeng was bursting with chivalry, the senior brother, unsurprisingly, made a sudden move.

He shouted and joined the convoy, engaging in a fierce battle with the masked men in the darkness, leaving behind a large number of corpses on both sides.

After the men in black left, Yue Lingfeng stayed behind.

While enjoying the gratitude of others, people make friends over barbecues and drinks in just a few words.

Making friends is one thing, but if things only went this far...

Neither Lu Wubing nor Ouyang Lan found it strange.

They might even show up and ask for a glass of water to drink.

However, the eldest brother never disappoints; he actually promised to travel a long distance to save them.

"Miss Huo, rest assured, no matter how strong that Broken Sword's swordsmanship is, it can't surpass my Three-Foot Wind and Cloud Sword. This time, no matter what, I will be able to rescue your mother from this predicament."

These people are so arrogant, bullying the weak. Even if it costs me my life, I, Yue, will kill as many as possible. I will let them know that justice will prevail.

"Pfft... Young Master Yue, aren't you the eldest disciple of the Heavenly Star Sect? You are cultivators, so you also believe in cause and effect, karma and retribution?"
Regardless, Brother Yue's heroic spirit and chivalry are truly admirable.

"Come, come, open another jar of Jade Blood Dragon Gall Wine. Uncle Kun, Uncle Xiang, cook some more good dishes."

The girl in purple exuded a heroic spirit, raising her wine bowl and gulping down the emerald green wine. Her face flushed red, displaying a chivalrous and unparalleled beauty.

Yue Lingfeng's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

His gaze lingered briefly on the girl's clothes before he quickly lowered his head and shouted for a drink.

In terms of swordsmanship, he admitted he wasn't the best, but when it came to wine tasting, he truly didn't want to be second.

……

"Aren't you really going to go and find out who our senior brother is?"

Ouyang Lan was furious.

It wasn't because Yue Lingfeng met a woman in the middle of the night and had a passionate conversation with her that he felt jealous.

She felt no jealousy at all; instead, she felt a mixture of pity for their misfortune and anger at their lack of ambition.

"Even someone like me with little experience in the martial arts world can tell that this woman's martial arts skills are strange and difficult to deal with, and her identity is highly suspicious... but he is as close to everyone as if they were inseparable."

"This means risking your life for someone else? Do you even know who that Broken Sword is?"

The six halls of the Demonic Sect were filled with experts. After the split, the Reincarnation Hall changed its name to the Reincarnation Sect, occupied the Wheel Reversal Hall, and gained a legitimate claim.

Apart from the destroyed Tianyin Hall, the other four halls all obeyed the orders of the Reincarnation Hall, not because the Reincarnation Hall occupied the sect's main hall, but because of Ye Wushuang.

With a Palace Master who is even more powerful and renowned than the previous Sect Master, they dare not show any selfish motives they might have.

It is precisely because of Ye Wushuang's powerful rise that the various halls, which have been divided for thirty years, are now showing signs of reunion.

It's not just a branch hall.

There are also some powerful figures from the demonic sects scattered throughout various places.

For example, there are two judges, the left and right soul catchers, and the four great freelance masters.

And this person, [Broken Sword], is one of the four great free spirits.

Besides the Broken Sword, there's also the Heavenly Blade, the Blood Hand, and the Soaring Sky...

These four individuals, if considered individually, are no less capable than the main character, at least possessing the innate Yin Deficiency Realm, and potentially reaching the Yang Realm.

Furthermore, each of them possesses a unique skill, making them far superior to other experts of the same level.

That was a veteran powerhouse of the demonic sect who could fight his way out even when surrounded by righteous forces.

With such a master as Yue Lingfeng, he dared to boast that he would kill the Broken Sword, subdue the Heavenly Blade, and rescue the purple-clad girl's mother.

I don't know where he got his confidence from.

"Wait, perhaps this is an opportunity."

Lu Wubing reached out and gently stopped him, laughing, "As expected, Senior Brother was deceived by this demonic sect woman. However, he made a mistake in a way, as he targeted a rogue from the demonic sect. Perhaps he will even face off against the Samsara Sect head-on, which is not necessarily a bad thing."

"How did you figure out this woman was from the Demonic Sect?"

"It's very simple. According to rumors in the martial arts world, the Demonic Sect's unparalleled skill, 'Three Lives's Insight,' is said to be able to see a person's entire life from childhood to old age, and to be able to see through their past experiences. When cultivated to an extremely high level, it is even claimed that one can see through three previous lives."

Regardless of whether they are exaggerating or not, the fact that [Three Lives Consciousness] is on par with [Seven Emotions Sound] and even surpasses [Seven Emotions Sound] in combat power demonstrates its extraordinary nature.

"We've changed locations three times in a row just now. Actually, it's because that woman from the Demonic Sect was secretly watching us. She noticed something was wrong, but couldn't find us."

"You can even see through this shadow?"

Ouyang Lan was shocked.

She always felt that this shadow was too cheating, so magical that it couldn't be explained by common sense.

"I haven't seen through it, but I can sense it. It also makes me recall the past from time to time, giving me the feeling that my past and present lives have been seen through, which is quite remarkable."

It's clear that her cultivation and martial arts skills far surpass those of her senior brother, yet she feigns such weakness—who is she trying to fool?

Should we make a move?

"No, it's still the original plan. Let's beat up the senior brother first, learn his swordsmanship, and then we'll see. We don't need to worry about how he chooses to act."

With a firm resolve, Lu Wubing leaped out of the shadows, his body swaying.

"Give me your life."

Disguised as a tall and imposing figure, with his face covered, he charged straight at the girl in purple like a tiger descending a mountain.

With an ordinary steel sword in hand, he could unleash a raging torrent of waves.

……

(End of this chapter)