Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 73 Young Prodigy?

The teachings should not be passed on to outsiders, and the merits should not be lost to others.

According to Chen Shunan's understanding, all martial arts in the world are derived from the cultivation methods of Taoism, alchemy, Buddhism, and Tantra.

Even the simplest martial arts manual may contain hidden metaphors for cultivation, such as refining the false into the true, drawing and adding from the meridians, and planting seeds in the Yellow Court.

Especially when one reaches the first-class level, one needs to combine various true skill diagrams to ponder and comprehend a wisp of that profound and mysterious artistic conception, and use it to hone one's 'divine will' in order to kill the six thieves!

The six thieves are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. For ordinary people, these thieves can breed desires and lead them to indulge in wealth, alcohol, sex, and lust.
For martial artists, it is the culprit that causes blood and qi to become turbid, internal organs to become foul, and thoughts to become clouded!
Therefore, slaying the six thieves is the main training for a first-rate martial artist!

The flint and steel clashed, and the incense sticks were lit.

Chen Shunan stood respectfully before the stone tablet, offering incense.

The incense smoke curled upwards, and the stone tablet seemed to come alive, shaking off the moss.

A wisp of incense smoke drifted over, but upon touching the stone tablet, it abruptly disappeared, as if absorbed by it.

Suddenly, the previously chaotic and mixed patterns on the stone tablet gradually became clearer, flowing and combining to form a unique pattern.

An endless flame, burning fiercely, filling heaven and earth.

A figure in a green robe moved nimbly and dodged amidst the flames, remaining untouched by the fire and undisturbed by its aura. He exuded an air of ease and composure, as if he were entering and leaving a fiery chamber.

The True Skill Diagram of Billions of Blazing Fires!
Chen Shunan was excited and his eyes widened.

"Chen Shun'an, the son-in-law of the Zhang family, respectfully requests the true power of the Flying Immortal, the God of Destiny to calm the mind, and burns incense and kowtows!"

Chen Shunan bowed only once!
Click!

It's unclear whether it was Chen Shunan's imagination.

The stone tablet vibrated and hummed, the soil softened and seemed to sink slightly, becoming shorter than Chen Shunan, who was bowing in worship.

In the Hundreds of Millions of Blazing True Technique Diagram, the figure in the green robe plunged headfirst into the endless flames and immediately became motionless, as if he had died.

Finally, even the flames extinguished, the patterns disintegrated, and a script emerged—not a cursive or seal script, vastly different from any human writing, yet seemingly containing the essence of heaven and earth.

body

Peeling back the surface reveals a certain 'essence'.

The moment Chen Shunan saw these words, he felt as if he were surrounded by billions of flames, and the rolling waves of air and the flames licking at his feet were incredibly clear to him.

Chen Shunan's thoughts were tempered and became much lighter, like an iron blank that had been scorched by a raging fire, suddenly becoming condensed and pure.

Even his movement skills have improved by leaps and bounds!
The word 'body' was clearly and directly imprinted in Chen Shunan's mind, and he couldn't forget it even if he wanted to.

"What's going on? Why is it so fragile?"

Chen Shunan only needs to recall it slightly to enter that state of intense heat once again.

He looked at the inscription on the stele, which had returned to its original chaotic and scribbled state, with a look of surprise in his eyes.

Moreover, according to Xu Hong, it would take at least an incense stick's time to observe a genuine martial arts painting.

Now, incense sticks no longer vary in length from a fingernail.

"Or is it because of my status as the Water Emperor that this stone tablet dares not allow me to worship it?!"

Noticing that the stone tablet was sinking slightly, Chen Shunan seemed to understand something.

Chen Shunan then took out another incense stick, only to find that he could not light it this time no matter what he did.

The steel bar of the flint was almost melted from the friction, but the incense stick remained motionless, as if some invisible entity was frantically blowing on it, as if afraid it would catch fire.

Helpless, Chen Shunan could only pull out the incense sticks in front of the 'Billion Blazing True Skill Diagram' and walk to the 'Golden Light True Skill Diagram of the Sexual Aperture'.

Incense is lit, and the smoke rises.

A golden light burst forth, rising from the bottom of the stone tablet as if to split it open, but upon closer inspection, it was merely a picture.

Chen Shunan bowed again!
Click!

The stone tablet seemed to be really about to crack.

The word 'eye' was imprinted in Chen Shunan's mind.

In a daze, a pair of golden lights appeared before Chen Shunan's eyes, shooting towards him with incredible speed, seemingly about to pierce through his eyes.

My eyes stung, and tears streamed down my face like they were free.

But as long as he stood under that blinding golden light, Chen Shunan's divine will condensed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Even his eyes showed a subtle change, his eyesight had improved!
The Great Medicine Dragon and Tiger True Skill Diagram...

The Diagram of the True Qi Cultivation Technique for the Day After Tomorrow...

Baojin Embracing Liquid True Skill Diagram...

The True Skill of Mind Like a Monkey and Desire Like a Horse...

In the short time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Chen Shunan had memorized all six True Skill Diagrams.

At this moment, the six words "eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind" floated in his mind, forming a rotating diagram.

Sometimes it turns from left to right, and sometimes it turns from right to left.

With each rotation, golden light, blazing fire, dragons and tigers, and restless minds surge forth.

He led Chen Shunan into various meditative states!
Although the torment and pain are increasing, the speed at which one's will is tempered and honed through this process is more than ten times that of viewing a single true mastery painting!

"It seems I've stumbled upon something extraordinary..."

After a brief period of joy.

Chen Shunan felt a throbbing pain in his forehead, mental exhaustion, and a strong sense of overexertion.

The three treasures of the human body—essence, energy, and spirit—are not water without roots. To refine and enhance them, various external resources are naturally needed.

One of them is a powerful medicine for nourishing the spirit.

The five-wheeled water from the well nourishes the five internal organs, and when the five internal organs are strong, the spirit is strong, so it can be considered a great medicine for nourishing the spirit.

"It's time to go, lest we get discovered and cause trouble for the old lady."

Chen Shunan turned and walked out of the study, avoiding others as he returned to Jingyuan.

……

Not long after Chen Shunan left.

Deep within the Stone Forest, the Flying Immortal Stele lying on the ground emanates a flowing blue light and faint glimmers, as if recording or engraving something.

He absorbed the various energies, vital energy, and the 'divine intent' of the Six Realms Circulation that Chen Shunan was exuding from the air...

Then, at the very bottom of the Flying Immortal Stele, after the forty-two powerful fingers, a forty-third finger slowly appeared.

Even Chen Shunan's waning spirit, or rather, the lifespan brought about by the passage of time, was captured by the Flying Immortal Stele.

His powerful fingertip was not only brand new in shape and color, but also carried a sense of vicissitude, exuding the aura of Chen Shunan.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew through the forest, and withered leaves rolled down and landed on the Flying Immortal Stele.

A muffled voice suddenly rang out.

"His destiny is as weighty as the Milky Way, yet I couldn't even bear his bow! Could he be the reincarnation of a great cultivator, or possessed by an old demon? It seems he hasn't broken through the mystery of the womb..."

"Oh no, if I secretly inscribe his energy and aura here, will I ruin his plans and get punished by him someday? But if I give up inscribing, it goes against the rules..."

The owner of the voice became somewhat anxious.

The next moment, the owner of the voice seemed to realize something and exclaimed in surprise,
"It didn't say it had to be engraved on the real thing, did it? I'm thinking, I'm guessing, I'm estimating... this should be fine too!"

The Flying Immortal Stele suddenly shone brightly with a blue light.

The old-fashioned energy in Chen Shunan's finger gradually faded, replaced by a youthful and tender vitality. It resembled Chen Shunan but was not quite the same, yet it was ambiguous, seemingly a younger version of Chen Shunan.

"Hehe, that's good..."

The owner of the voice was very satisfied, revealing a clear sense of foolishness.

At this moment, the young martial artists who were practicing in various parts of the stone forest also came in twos and threes.

Seeing that there was no one there and no sign of Xu Juren, they each began to observe the true skills.

The azure light of the Flying Immortal Stele had long since dissipated, and the sound seemed more like an illusion, as if it had never appeared.

Only on the Flying Immortal Stele, a forty-third powerful finger strike appeared silently.

……

Xu Honggang had just left the Buddhist hall and hadn't walked far when he heard the sound of gongs and drums. Farmers ran around shouting, and a group of people came out.

"What?! Master Zhang has ordered the younger generation to immediately go to the academy to spar with others?!"

Upon hearing this news, Xu Hong was startled and rushed to the schoolhouse in a hurry.

But when he arrived, he found a large group of people already gathered at the academy. A group of guards were already moving weapons and cleaning the training ground.

"Oops!"

Xu Hong's face was tense as he turned and headed back towards Jingyuan.

He had just arrived at Jingyuan when he saw Chen Shunan and that doorman walking out of the manor one after the other, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Take care, my dear brother Shun'an. We'll meet again another day."

With outsiders present, Xu Hong could not inquire in detail about Chen Shunan's reward for his merits. He could only clasp his hands in greeting and escort him to the back gate of Zhangzhuang.

At the same time, the fish basket bottle was returned to Chen Shunan.

"This is……"

Chen Shunan looked on in astonishment as he stared at the lively golden carp in the bottle.

Xu Hong glanced at the doorman, but did not hide anything. He relayed what the old lady had said to Chen Shunan and instructed him to insist that he had found the golden-scaled catfish by chance.

The gatekeeper looked down at the tip of his nose, ignoring everything.

Chen Shunan hadn't expected that there were so many twists and turns behind the Golden Scale Catfish, and he felt even more grateful to the old lady.

"Alright, Brother Xu, you may go back now. I'll take my leave!"

Chen Shunan didn't say much. He walked out of the manor gate, untied the reins, and carefully put the fish basket bottle into the saddlebag.

He then mounted his horse and, without stopping, crossed the bridge and set off towards Wuqing County amidst the rolling dust.

After watching Chen Shunan leave until the horse was completely out of sight, Xu Hong hurried back to the study.

Inside the study, both inside and outside the study, there were clearly many figures, yet an eerie silence prevailed.

The atmosphere was somewhat depressing.

Old Master Zhang sat in a round-backed chair outside the martial arts training ground, his face ashen.

The old lady remained calm, only sighing before turning her head away, unwilling to look any longer.

The old man surnamed Zhang sat calmly to one side.

Below the training ground, cries of pain filled the air as young figures lay wounded in various ways, with physicians busy applying medicine and bandaging their wounds.

The chubby-cheeked girl stood tall on the training ground, slowly retracting her fighting stance, looking completely relaxed, as if her blood and energy hadn't even begun to circulate.

Upon seeing this, Xu Hong's face turned serious.

The sparring match ended so quickly?

Many of the injured and defeated young people were Xu Hong's prized disciples, whom he had carefully taught, and they considered themselves to be among the best of their peers.

There are many who have reached the first-class level, and some have even killed the two thieves!
But how could they have lost so decisively?

As the coach, Xu Hong felt a burning pain on his face, utterly humiliated.

"Third Master, I'm going to visit the Stone Forest and see the Flying Immortal Stele to pay homage to our ancestors."

The young girl, naive and lacking in social graces, didn't utter a single polite word, nor did she glance at her defeated opponents, before walking into the stone forest behind the schoolhouse.

The elderly Mr. Zhang smiled but didn't say anything more.

The Flying Immortal Stele of the Zhang family is a derivative of a certain immortal destiny in the Zhang family's ancestral land; it is a lower-level stele.

The copy records the profound insights of all the ancestors of the Zhang family who had comprehended the Six Scenery Revolving True Skill Diagram over the past few hundred years since the family rose to prominence.

Moreover, most of them were people who had already reached a first-class or even higher level, but then turned around and started to cultivate the true skill again.

Each branch of the family, like the Zhang family, that left the main family would take a lower-ranking stone tablet.

Even when encouragement is given, it is with an extremely slim and almost unrealistic expectation.

Hopefully, there will be another rising star who can comprehend the Six Realms Reincarnation True Skill Diagram.

"Junior Brother Zhang, please forgive me. This woman is named Zhang Xiangling, the youngest daughter of the Zhang family head. She was born with the ability to transcend mortality, appearing ethereal and insubstantial. Several years ago, she studied four True Skill Diagrams and reached the first-class realm!"

After all, etiquette between host and guest must be observed, Old Zhang advised.
"Let alone your Zhang family, even in the capital, there are only a few people of her generation who can definitely outshine her."

Upon hearing this, the guests who had been watching the martial arts performance suddenly realized what was going on and their faces showed expressions of understanding.

Although Master Zhang still felt aggrieved after hearing this, he was able to save face.

It's quite normal that the Zhang family is inferior to such young prodigies.

only……

Is my Zhang family truly doomed?
"Third Master! Quick, come quick!"

Suddenly, a surprised voice came from behind the stone forest.

Old Zhang's expression hardened, and with a push of his arms, he moved with lightning speed, appearing in the stone forest.

"Third Master, I remember that the Flying Immortal Stele in the ancestral land only had forty-two powerful fingers, right?"

"That's right... Hmm, the forty-third Finger Strike?!"

Zhang Xiangling and Old Master Zhang stood before the Flying Immortal Stele, their expressions quite varied and fascinating.

While Zhang Xiangling was surprised, she also felt the strong vitality and youthful spirit emanating from this force.

Amazing that someone my age could do this?

Zhang Xiangling was both surprised and delighted; her heart pounded like a drum, and a fierce fighting spirit burned in her eyes.

The scene flashed through her mind.

On the Grand Canal, two heroes stood under the moon, blocking the river in a momentous battle!
It was exactly like the duel between the great heroes recorded in folk tales and biographies!
Who is it? Who is this person?!

Zhang Xiangling was deeply moved.

Old Zhang was shocked, but also felt gratified and moved.

Excellent! The Zhang family has a worthy successor!

Not only is there Zhang Xiangling, but there is also such a young prodigy who is not yet twenty years old.

Two outstanding individuals in one family, shining brightly together, perhaps even one day becoming husband and wife, or sworn brothers...

We can continue the Zhang family's century-long glory!
Old Zhang couldn't wait to relay the news to the Zhang family.

Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang, Mrs. Zhang, Xu Hong, and others rushed to Shilin.

Upon seeing the brand-new, vibrant finger on the Flying Immortal Stele, he was utterly shocked, his face showing disbelief.

This……

Especially Mr. Zhang, who was suddenly overcome with emotion and burst into tears, almost thinking he was hallucinating. He was filled with mixed feelings of sorrow and joy, and laughed repeatedly.

"This aura...not even twenty years old? Hahaha, my Zhang family has also produced a prodigy under twenty with the potential to become a Martial Saint!"

And on the other side.

Zhang Xiangling and Old Zhang gradually realized that something was wrong.

The two men frowned slightly, stepped forward, and bent down to rub the forty-third finger.

The remaining forty-two finger strikes vary in depth and length.

Some were so blurred and barely visible that it indicated that the person's understanding of the Six Scenes Rotation Diagram was extremely crude, and they were even unable to rotate it freely to the left and right.

After all, although there is only one method, people are all different, and the six scenes they comprehend will naturally differ.

And now this brand-new finger technique, how come its edges are outlined with gold, its base is adorned with auspicious clouds, and its sides are decorated with various cloud and thunder patterns, taotie patterns, phoenix patterns...

It's like erecting a monument to a great master's cultivation, displaying the utmost in its effectiveness and flattery.

Zhang Xiangling asked in surprise, "The Flying Immortal Stele is broken?"

Old Zhang shook his head: "How could that be? The mother and child steles are intertwined, one prospers and the other suffers. How could they be easily damaged? Could these anomalies be the result of the enlightenment of that young prodigy?"

Both of them felt that something was wrong, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Master Zhang's purplish-red face shone with excitement as he began issuing orders to search the entire Zhang residence for that young prodigy.

Zhang Xiangling and Old Zhang stood up and looked at each other.

Both the old man and the young boy looked somewhat bewildered.

Although the finger strikes strangely, it is undeniably real.

but……

Whose finger is so exaggerated?

(End of this chapter)