I alone have my own laws; I start by fabricating myths and legends of mountains and seas.

Chapter 129 Soldier Tomb Island

"The law of the jungle is the rule of the world. Do you expect me to help you get revenge?" Ya Zi stared at Chen Yang with eyes as sharp as blades.

The grievance and expectation on Chen Yang's face froze instantly, like a tide frozen in time. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but under the gaze of those eyes that seemed to see through all pretense, any excuse seemed pale and powerless.

"As for your hardships along the way! In this vast world of mountains and seas, who has had an easy journey? Or are you trying to show off how difficult it was for you? Then tell me, who had it easy?"

"Master's teachings are correct!" Chen Yang said solemnly, his voice firm and resolute. "I was mistaken! External interference should never be an excuse! The road ahead may be difficult, but we must overcome it with force! I understand your teachings!"

Seeing Chen Yang's state, Ya Zi softened slightly. After a brief pause, she offered an explanation: "At that time, a major event occurred in the Mountain and Sea Realm, and I had to go to deal with it, leaving me no time to attend to you. The details are beyond your current comprehension, and knowing them would be of no benefit to you. Only after the situation calmed down did I have the spare energy to spare, and that's when the basic methods of internal energy martial arts appeared in your mind."

He swept his gaze over Chen Yang's aura, which had become stagnant yet harmonious, and continued, "As for this place, it is the Bingzhong Island, where I am responsible for guarding this island. I cannot leave lightly. It is fate that you were able to find me here."

Hearing this, Chen Yang's last bit of unease dissipated. It turned out his master hadn't abandoned him, but rather was powerless to change his situation, and had indeed later given him the initial methods. He immediately seized the opportunity, gazing expectantly at Ya Zi, his face filled with longing: "Master! This disciple is dull-witted, but I have diligently practiced according to your teachings, and now I have reached the ninth level, all 256 acupoints are open, and internal energy has spontaneously generated. However, the path forward is blocked, and I don't know what to do! I implore Master to have mercy and impart to me the subsequent cultivation methods!"

""

"The fundamental methods of internal energy martial arts are the foundation of the Great Dao, designed to lay a solid foundation for you, open up the acupoints, and make your internal energy abundant and ever-flowing," Ya Zi said slowly. "However, the path of martial arts is like climbing a mountain. The fundamental methods are like opening up a stable mountain path, leading you to a platform halfway up the mountain. At this point, the conventional path has ended."

He looked at Chen Yang, his eyes deep: "The path ahead, will you continue along the steep stone steps left unfinished by those who came before, or will you forge a new path to explore the unknown, treacherous peaks shrouded in mist, or perhaps simply use this platform as a foundation to build your own pavilions and towers?"

Chen Yang seemed to understand something, but was also confused: "Master means there's no fixed path ahead? I need to find my own way?"

"That's one way to understand it, but not entirely," Ya Zi said. "It's not that there's no path. There are 3,600 different ways to achieve enlightenment, and everyone has their own unique path. There are two paths. The first is the one I teach you, but that path was paved by someone else, not yours. The other path is the one you forge yourself, and that's the one that's most suitable for you."

Should he explore and create his own path? Or follow the established order? He, as the protagonist, is undoubtedly the one who seeks to be a pioneer.

In fact, Su Fan knew that Chen Yang's chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) personality would definitely lead him to this choice. Even if Chen Yang didn't choose this, Ya Zi would force Chen Yang to take the self-created route, since Su Fan didn't have any follow-up content.

"But Master, I am but a humble disciple, lacking in knowledge and experience. How could I possibly—" Chen Yang said somewhat uncertainly. After all, how easy is it to become a teacher for all ages, having started from scratch to open up the mountains and forests?

"Qi is the foundation of life energy, flowing throughout the body and nourishing all things. Acupoints are the key nodes where Qi gathers and circulates, much like stars scattering across the human body's microcosm. Martial arts practitioners use Qi to control strength, with acupoints as the pivot, to develop potential and transcend ordinary methods."

Ya Zi began to explain the internal energy martial arts to Chen Yang. In reality, it was the Heavenly Dao that used Ya Zi's words to selectively impart some of the results of the deduction about internal energy martial arts to Chen Yang.

"This disciple has suddenly understood, and I feel like I have a clearer path forward." Chen Yang regained his composure, and he had also benefited greatly from the explanation, with many things he didn't understand before becoming clear.

"Don't be too happy yet." Ya Zi's cold voice interrupted Chen Yang's smugness, like a bucket of cold water being poured over his head. "You have an idea? Whether it's just empty talk or a castle in the air remains to be seen."

"Hehe!" Chen Yang put on an innocent look, chuckled sheepishly, and asked, "By the way! What's the deal with this floating island?"

"This island is called Henzuka Island! The entire island is filled with countless divine weapons and other magical artifacts. There is nothing else on the island. As long as you become an islander, you can obtain a weapon!" Ya Zi introduced the island.

The so-called divine weapons are naturally man-made versions of religious artifacts.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang glanced around and indeed found that Bingjia Island was different from the other floating islands. It was barren and desolate, with swords and spears scattered like weeds and spears like a forest. He hadn't noticed this while talking to Ya Zi, but now, seeing it, he realized how fitting the name Bingjia Island was; the island seemed to be a graveyard for weapons.

"How do I become an islander?" Chen Yang asked curiously. "And what is the price to pay for this island you're on, teacher?"

-

"There are countless divine weapons here. If you want to become an islander, fight the mirror images formed by these divine weapons. If you win, you become an islander!" Ya Zi explained. "As for the price, after you take one weapon from here, you must return three weapons that can be recognized by this island in the future."

Chen Yang was astonished upon hearing this. Good heavens! This is a classic case of the chicken and the egg, an endless cycle of offspring! No wonder there are so many weapons here; that's how they came about!

However, Chen Yang couldn't complain at this moment, so he simply said, "Master! My dream is to defeat all the heroes under heaven with a pair of iron fists, without needing to resort to weapons."

His eyes were sharp as knives as he spoke, "Rules are rules, how dare you nitpick?"

He raised his hand, pointing to the endless array of swords, spears, and halberds on the island, his voice carrying an undeniable resolve: "The Island of Soldiers has its own laws. Anyone who sets foot on this island seeking opportunities must undergo trials. Victory grants the soldiers; this is an ironclad rule! What do you mean 'not needed'? The opportunities on this island are freely available; how can personal likes and dislikes dictate what one chooses?"

"As for the price, one weapon is taken, and three are returned. This is the way of balance, the foundation of this island's existence, and it has remained unchanged since time immemorial. If you have the ability to defeat the world with your iron fists, that is your skill. But on this island of strategists, you must abide by the rules of this island! Either accept the trial, take one weapon, and sign a contract to return three."

Chen Yang was stunned by this merciless rebuke that went straight to the heart of the rules, and the little bit of smugness and stubbornness on his face were instantly shattered.

The Mountain and Sea Realm has never been a marketplace where you can haggle, nor is it a place where you can act arbitrarily according to your personal preferences. This is Bingzhong Island, with its own ancient and strict operating rules.

"How strong is the illusory image formed by that weapon?" Chen Yang asked.