Reborn in the Great Yan Dynasty: I Cultivated to Become a Martial Saint Through Telekinesis

Chapter 105 The Fate of a Martial Artist

Early morning, in front of the martial arts hall gate.

All twenty-eight disciples stood on the grass, chatting in small groups.

These disciples were all carrying weapons, wearing inner armor, and carrying packs; today was the day they would depart for the Hun Tian Sect's mountain gate.

Beside them were rows of black-scaled horses, roughly fifty or sixty in total, enough for more than two horses per person.

"It's infuriating! If those examiners hadn't been so ruthless, Liangzhou wouldn't have had so few disciples participating." Zhou Xian, Qian Zhongyou, and Mo Zheng stood together. They had all passed the assessment. Qian Zhongyou said with some indignation, "These examiners were just trying to suppress our Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall."

"This isn't something that happened just a day or two ago."

Zhou Xian looked around. The disciples participating in the assessment all bore some injuries. He sighed and said, "I don't know what the two Martial Saints were thinking, allowing these disciples from aristocratic families to act so recklessly. How can this continue?"

Compared to aristocratic families, there are significantly more disciples from humble backgrounds, and they are more motivated to strive for success.

However, resources for students from humble backgrounds have been reduced, and the most important opportunity, the Haotian Secret Realm, has seen a significant decrease in available spots.

"Perhaps the Martial Saint doesn't care about such trivial matters," Mo Zheng said.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xian and Qian Zhongyou couldn't help but smile wryly. In the eyes of the Martial Saint, these were indeed trivial matters.

Let alone the disputes among these disciples, even conflicts between experts at the Visceral Realm level would not be taken seriously by the Martial Saint.

Martial artists at that level are far too powerful, almost like two different species from ordinary martial artists. Unless it concerns the survival of their sect, they usually don't care about worldly affairs and focus solely on martial arts.

It's understandable. Not to mention the Martial Saint, even the disciples of the Martial Arts Hall present were all wholeheartedly devoted to martial arts cultivation and did not pay attention to worldly affairs.

The Hun Tian Sect rules over three states and is the uncrowned king of this vast land. Its affairs are so numerous that even a Martial Saint would be exhausted if he wanted to handle them, leaving him no time for cultivation.

"I wonder what the true strength of the Martial Saint is like—" Mo Zheng said with some longing.

In the eighteen states of Great Yan, there are still quite a few experts at the Visceral Realm, but the number drops sharply once they reach the Martial Saint level.

The Hun Tian Sect is so large, ruling over three states, that it only has two members. Other major powers might not even have two members each, so it's hard to say whether they can even make up ten in total.

Because of their small numbers and their dedication to martial arts, very few people actually get to see them; most of what exists in the world are legends about them.

"I've met Senior Brother Zhou Xian. Let him tell you about it. He was the one who delivered a letter to the Sect Master at the mountain gate on behalf of the Headmaster. The Sect Master even had a private conversation with him," Qian Zhongyou said enviously.

"Martial Saint, how should I put it—"

Recalling the feeling back then, a hint of awe flashed in Zhou Xian's eyes. He said, "It was completely different from facing a master of the Visceral Realm. They were like gods. Even the martial arts realm of the old abbot was nothing compared to the Martial Saint. It was like fireflies compared to the bright moon."

"Of course, a martial artist at that level can live for five hundred years; it wouldn't be wrong to call them a god."

"Gods and immortals?"

Mo Zheng's heart stirred, and he felt that this description was quite apt. Martial Saints have long lifespans and are so powerful that they can overturn mountains and seas, and are not much different from the immortals and gods worshipped by ordinary people.

Zhou Xian laughed and said, "You two shouldn't envy me. The Haotian Secret Realm is the foundation of our Huntian Sect. When it opens, both of you Martial Saints will definitely show up. You'll be able to see it with your own eyes then."

"Speaking of the Haotian Secret Realm, you should all be careful. Every time it opens, quite a few disciples die, including some very powerful true disciples."

The Haotian Secret Realm is said to test not only strength, but also luck.

This is a real test of character. Skill is something that can be cultivated through hard work, but luck is even more unpredictable than comprehension. Who can guarantee that they will always have it?

Therefore, when the Hun Tian Sect selects disciples to participate in the qualification assessment, it does not require defeating the examinee. It only requires enduring a few moves and reaching the minimum standard. The examinee's strength varies, and it all depends on one's luck.

This time, half of the twenty-eight people were not true disciples. Many powerful true disciples encountered too strong test takers and failed the qualification test. This was due to their bad luck.

"Why think so much? We should just pursue the pinnacle of martial arts. As for life and death, that's up to fate," Qian Zhongyou said magnanimously.

That's not entirely wrong. If a martial artist fears death, they can't cultivate. After all, they have to hunt demonic beasts, which is a real life-or-death struggle. In the wilderness, a high-level demonic beast might suddenly jump out from somewhere, and if they run into it, they're dead. There's no way to complain.

On the contrary, places like the Haotian Secret Realm, where one can obtain opportunities to break through to the Visceral Realm or even the Martial Saint level, attract countless martial artists even at the cost of their lives.

"We've arrived, Headmaster," Mo Zheng suddenly said, looking to his left.

Qian Zhongyou and Zhou Xian immediately looked in that direction, but there was nothing there.

Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed towards them, and before their eyes could see, several figures appeared in front of them, the leader of whom was the headmaster.

The two couldn't help but exchange a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

It wasn't the headmaster's strength that surprised me, but Mo Zheng's insight. Could it be that his strength had really improved so quickly after comprehending the essence of martial arts?

They couldn't see it at all, but Mo Zheng noticed it long ago.

The two were unaware that Mo Zheng's true strength, although he had not tempered his internal organs and was still lacking in strength, was comparable to that of a master of the internal organ realm. If you took into account his dual-wielding swordsmanship and his powerful mental strength, he could easily defeat an ordinary master of the internal organ realm if he suddenly attacked.

It is no exaggeration to say that among all the disciples of the Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall, he is undoubtedly the number one!

Of course, Mo Zheng was self-aware; he could only be considered strong among the disciples. Compared to the other teachers at the Internal Organs Realm, he was far inferior.

"Headmaster!" "Headmaster!" ————

All the disciples greeted the headmaster warmly. Everyone respected Headmaster Feng very much, not only because of his strength and status, but also because he genuinely cared about these disciples.

Headmaster Feng waved his hand, and everyone quieted down. He asked, "Is everyone here?"

A teacher immediately came out to count the number of people, and then everyone returned to the room.

"Then let's set off. This time, Wang He and I will lead the team. During my absence, Liu Qing and Wu Feng, you two can discuss and handle everything yourselves."

"Yes, Headmaster."

Several teachers readily agreed.

Liu Qing couldn't help but look at Mo Zheng. The dangers of the Haotian Secret Realm made him somewhat worried. However, even a martial arts genius needs a lot of life-and-death experience to grow.

Mo Zheng nodded and smiled at his teacher, indicating that there was no need to worry.

"Mount up! This time, you will travel to Huntian Mountain on two horses, day and night. You will not be allowed to rest until you reach the mountain gate. Anyone who disobeys this order will be disqualified from the assessment."

Headmaster Feng spoke with a serious expression, for the mountain gate was far away, and even riding a black-scaled horse day and night, it would still be a bit of a rush. But the opening of the Haotian Secret Realm would not wait for anyone.

He leaped onto the horse in a flash, and the disciples responded and followed suit, all mounting their horses as well.

Dozens of black-scaled horses galloped straight towards Qingzhou, their thunderous hooves echoing like muffled thunder, raising clouds of dust.

"I wonder how many of these disciples will be able to return—" Liu Qing sighed.

"Either become a strongman, or die on the path to becoming a strongman; this is the fate of a martial artist," Wu Feng said.

It was nearly noon, and the sun was high in the sky.

Inside an inn in Liangzhou City.

Several burly men were drinking in a private room. These men were all strong and robust, with broad shoulders and thick waists, exuding a fierce aura and extremely menacing appearances.

The only person sitting in the main seat was a thin, middle-aged man with a long face, narrow eyes, and a cold demeanor, like a venomous snake with its tongue out.

"team leader!"

Just then, the door was pushed open, and a man with an equally menacing aura walked in. He said, "I've already found out. That kid surnamed Mo—"

"Um?"

The horse-faced man frowned, interrupting the other person, and looked towards the door.

"oh oh----"

The man understood and immediately went up to close the door tightly.

"It seems you've all forgotten what I said: be cautious in everything you do. That man surnamed Mo is a martial arts prodigy. If something goes wrong, all six of us brothers might perish here," the middle-aged man warned.

"Yes, Captain, we've kept your words in mind."

"That's right, don't blame Lao Liu, after all, we're not in the military camp, so everyone's become a bit lax."

"Old Six definitely won't do it again."

Several burly men laughed it off, covering for the man who hadn't closed the door.

The sixth brother scratched his head and said with a forced smile, "Captain, it's my fault, but it doesn't matter if outsiders hear it. Right now, the whole of Liangzhou City is talking about that kid surnamed Mo."

"What do you mean? Why is everyone talking about him?" the middle-aged man asked.

"Captain, you don't know this, but this kid surnamed Mo did something that really made him stand out a few days ago."

The sixth brother sighed, "He's so young, yet he's already grasped the essence of martial arts and even killed an extremely powerful Bone and Tendon Realm martial artist. The news is all over the place now. I wonder how he cultivated like that."

Upon hearing this, the burly men were immediately dumbfounded: "Hiss—"

"He's grasped the essence of martial arts?!"

"This kid looks like he's only eighteen, right?"

Every martial artist knows the meaning of the martial arts realm. It is the threshold to the internal organs realm. Once crossed, one will transform from a fish into a dragon and no longer be an ordinary person.

Having grasped the essence of martial arts at such a young age, their future achievements are simply limitless.

Is this really true?

The middle-aged man frowned and asked with some disbelief.

The sixth brother nodded and said, "It's true, of course. I heard that after killing that Bone and Tendon Realm martial artist, many disciples of the Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall rushed to challenge him overnight, but not a single one of them was able to enter his courtyard. Moreover, the next day he even showed off his mastery of sword intent in front of all the disciples."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and the others looked at each other with fear in their eyes. The entire room fell silent for a moment.

This middle-aged man was none other than Zhang Yan, the uncle of Zhang Li whom Mo Zheng had once killed at the Shangyin Martial Arts School.

Monsters wreaked havoc throughout the Great Yan, so the imperial court established a special army to resist them, providing another way for ordinary people to become martial artists.

Training in the army and repeatedly fighting to the death against demonic beasts is extremely dangerous, but it can also maximize one's potential. Not to mention the abundant rewards, such as pills, weapons, and cultivation techniques.

Therefore, although the army is a place where the strong are sifted from the weak, and countless people are killed or wounded, the martial artists who survive are all extraordinary. Many great masters of the internal organs realm and even martial saints have emerged from it.

Zhang Yan was a martial artist who emerged from the imperial army.

In his youth, he was unwilling to be mediocre. He tried to learn martial arts at a martial arts school but failed. So he joined the army and fought against monsters along the coast. After many years of fighting, although he faced life and death several times, he successfully became a martial artist, comprehended the subtle techniques, and cultivated to the level of perfect stone skin. He was only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the bone and tendon realm.

However, despite his mastery of martial arts, he still had regrets. Due to his physical injuries, he was destined to have no children. Therefore, he treated his nephew Zhang Li as his own son and cherished him dearly.

Unexpectedly, this only nephew, the only heir of the next generation of the Zhang family, died, and at the hands of Mo Zheng. At that time, he was in the army and was in unbearable pain. If it weren't for the strict military law, he would have killed his way back to avenge Zhang Li long ago.

Later, although he asked his friend to take revenge, the friend failed. He was also delayed for a long time due to other matters. When he finally found the time to cross the mountains and rivers back to Shangyin County, Mo Zheng's family had already moved away.

He spent more time and effort inquiring before finally pinpointing Mo Zheng's location and coming to Liangzhou to prepare for the assassination.

Unexpectedly, this devastating news came just as we were beginning to prepare.

Even if a master who has comprehended the essence of martial arts has not yet reached the Visceral Realm, he is beyond the comprehension of ordinary martial artists.

Zhang Yan had witnessed the terrifying power of martial arts intent in the army. Once unleashed, under the impact of that terrifying will, no matter how many methods you used, you could only stand still and obediently submit to its slaughter.

He looked at the people around him.

These men were all from the army with him; they had fought side by side through piles of corpses and were true brothers who had shared life and death.

However, at this moment, they all looked fearful, clearly scared.

It should be noted that even when faced with an overwhelming tide of beasts, they showed no fear whatsoever.

"Don't worry."

Zhang Yan spoke up: "We've all rolled out of piles of corpses together, I will never let anyone die. We can't deal with this guy surnamed Mo, he still has relatives and friends."

"Moreover, the stronger he is, the more interested the Crown Prince will be in him."

"With the Crown Prince backing you up, what are you worried about?!"