Devour

Chapter 392: Traveling Beyond the Clouds

The sword energy characters stayed in the air for a limited time, and their shapes gradually faded and tended to dissipate.

Master Li smiled and said, "Although the martial arts you have mastered are not authentic, with practice, you can still become proficient in your own style. You and I are not destined to be master and disciple, but we can be said to have passed on the teachings and knowledge to each other."

Mu Yan could tell that this was the end of their relationship. Qi Nian was completely hopeless and sighed, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I have suddenly realized something."

Cheng Bai suddenly interrupted, "The Wu Yuan-level technique that Master taught me is called 'Sky Travel Beyond the Clouds,' right?"

The name of the martial arts implied in this poem actually refers to a set of superb body movements, which are far more subtle and mysterious than the "Eight Immortals' Tour".

Master Li nodded and said, "Yes. This form of martial arts is comparable in rank to the Tianchi Divine Art. Its characteristics are incredible speed and the ability to maintain peak performance for extended periods. It's used by Confucian scholars to navigate the martial arts world, yet it's little known. It's usually used to escape and save lives, and isn't suitable for public display."

Mu Yan was stunned and said with embarrassment, "So it's Qinggong? Then the direction I'm training in is ridiculously wrong!"

Cheng Bai glanced at the sword energy text that was about to dissipate and said leisurely, "Master, the training only lasted for a quarter of an hour. I just learned the Clouds Beyond the Sky."

This sentence was like a thunderclap, making the others present feel unbelievable.

"Your Majesty, have you understood?" Bei Tingjun asked, suppressing her surprise. She admitted she couldn't understand. "From a poetic perspective, there's nothing wrong with what Mu Yan said. I, too, cannot comprehend the method of practicing this skill."

Cheng Bai said frankly, "The secret lies in the direction of the strokes. If you can discern the veins of sword energy, learning becomes easy. Just use your spiritual consciousness to follow the characters from beginning to end and you'll learn. For me, a quarter of an hour is enough to familiarize myself with it several times."

Seeing the sword energy characters completely vanish, Mu Yan continued to stare at the empty space, sighing with regret: "Oh... I was so smart, I thought too much and got stuck in a dead end!"

A flash of shock flashed across Master Li's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and spoke slowly, "Even if someone knew the correct method from the start, they might not be able to read the entire text using their spiritual sense within a quarter of an hour. Those with a spiritual sense sharp enough to keep up with the movement of the Confucian scholar's sword energy are few and far between across the Five Continents!"

Previously, when he said that he had "grasped some of the essence", he had actually overestimated everyone present, but he did not expect that there was an anomaly who cultivated the power of the Phoenix.

Cheng Bai's heart moved, and he asked, "Master, you said that someone once received this true teaching. Could it be Ji Dong?"

Master Li smiled and admitted, "It is none other than Ji Dong, the son of the Emperor of Samsara. He is arguably the most powerful genius known to Confucian scholars, and even the best among the younger generation."

Cheng Bai was secretly puzzled. "Since Master has met many of the Emperor's sons, why did he choose Ningxiang as his master and support her with all his strength? In terms of various qualities, she is not the best."

However, such sensitive questions are not easy to ask directly, especially in public.

Mu Yan said politely, "I am fortunate to have the opportunity to receive personal guidance from you, Master. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Master Li's expression was calm as he responded, "The brewed Cuixia Magnolia tea is quite unique, but scholars don't like sweet flavors. Could you please give me some fresh Yueying Magnolia flowers?"

"Of course, Master, please wait a moment." Mu Yan hurriedly rummaged through the boxes and found all the Moon Shadow Jade Flowers that had not been prepared. He then carefully wrapped them in clean kraft paper and presented them to Master Li.

Cheng Bai watched silently, pondering, "Master, is the real purpose of this visit to collect Moon Shadow Jade Flowers? To want something from someone, yet have them offer it to you without them even realizing it, is truly a brilliant and farsighted person."

"Thank you for your trouble. We will not bother you any further." Master Li took the package and left.

Mu Xi was seeing his guests off. Cheng Bai turned back and specifically reminded him, "Fellow Daoist Mu Xi, the Heaven-Swallowing Sect is currently recruiting talented individuals and is currently shortlisted for an inner disciple. If you're interested, why not visit the White Lotus Mansion in Yinsheng City, Snow Fox Country, to showcase your skills?"

Master Li glanced at Cheng Bai with a little surprise, but didn't say much.

Mu Yan was slightly stunned, but quickly came to his senses and said politely, "Thank you for your guidance. See you later, teachers."

Cheng Bai had his own considerations. He mused, "Master, you have so many talented students. With Jinlian, Ji Dong, and others like them, you'd be forgiven for looking down on Mu Yan. But with his meager bone age and a single Fire Root, his achievements surpass those of Shen Ya, who possesses the Overlord Body, and are hundreds of years behind the Smoker. He's quite a talent. Besides, I'm short on manpower... If he's too ambitious and unwilling to come, then don't force him."

Thinking of this, Cheng Bai boarded the Black Blade Flying Armor and accelerated into the air, flying towards the North Sea.

……

The morning sun, like a melting gold, bathes the ancient buildings in a radiant glow, casting two long shadows atop Yamabuddha. They are like witnesses to history, witnessing the transformation of the world.

Feng Yong stood among the statues of the saints, his eyes sweeping over the cars humming away outside the east gate. He said in surprise, "According to local time... aren't they the same group of mortals who entered the secret realm half a month ago? The entire group actually retreated safely. This is the outskirts of an ancient dangerous area!"

The accompanying beautiful woman in colorful feathered clothing also revealed a look of surprise and echoed, "And that group of people have reached the seventh floor, which is definitely beyond the reach of ordinary people. Yet, I haven't noticed any high-level cultivators of the corresponding realm among them. If it's not that a wise person secretly helped them avoid the numerous dangers, then there must be some mysterious hidden reason!"

"Within the six directions is the land of the emperor!"

Feng Yong pondered, "The Xuanyuan Clan has painstakingly cultivated a prosperous and pure land, becoming the cradle of the Imperial Way. Have they achieved their ultimate goal?"

The beautiful woman in colorful feathered robes said quietly, "This planet, called 'Earth' by the locals, is about to witness a brutal and bloody massacre. The ever-changing situation makes fortunes unpredictable. The prophecies in the Thousand Diagrams and Scrolls are bound to come true one by one, and the world of Liuhe may be facing its end."

Feng Yong unconsciously clutched the corner of his clothes, muttering to himself in a daze, "Should I go tell him... But I've been invited to the Xianyuan Elegant Gathering, and this is a matter of great importance. I must rush back and prepare to participate... Let me think about it."

The beautiful woman in colorful feathered clothing turned around and led the way, softly admonishing, "Let's go quickly. I'll open the Netherworld Path. Don't worry too much about trivial matters that have nothing to do with you."

In the driver's seat of a speeding bus in the distance, Hao Jian, with a pair of panda eyes, was silent and just focused on driving.

In the carriage behind him, a group of students were shouting and making a lot of noise, and the noise was full of astonishment.

"We've only been in there for three days, and the food stored in the car has already gone moldy and spoiled?"

"My phone battery is dead, and even the spares are all gone. Time flies!"

“Who else can contact the outside world?”

"The car was shaking too much, wasn't it? It wasn't like this when we came back last time."

"Can you drive faster? I'm hungry and sleepy and can't stand it anymore!" Li Changcai joined his classmates in venting the depression and irritability that had accumulated over the days.

Faced with anxiety, Ou Xiuxiu forced a smile and tried to reassure everyone: "Please remain calm and rational. Although we encountered some difficulties, the results of this expedition are amazing. When we return, this discovery will definitely become sensational news!"

Li Changcai secretly glanced at Wang Zewei, who was a few seats away, and saw that he was fast asleep. He said in surprise, "Some people are so calm that they can still sleep in such a situation."

Ou Xiuxiu's eyes flashed with reproach as she maintained order. "Wang Zewei must be exhausted from all the planning along the way. Thanks to his help, the team has solved many problems. Let him sleep, and don't wake him up."

Li Changcai said with a hint of dissatisfaction: "Oh... the brain trust is taking a break, what should we do then?"

Ou Xiuxiu said seriously, "For the rest of the matter, follow Teacher Hao's arrangements."

The members of the expedition were all smart people. They stopped talking and turned their attention to the driving position.

Seeing the scene quiet down, Hao Jian took a deep breath and said slowly, "It must have been more than three days since we entered Yamafutu. The car is covered in thick dust, and even the tires are deformed. It's a bumpy ride, so we have to slow down. Fortunately, it hasn't been gnawed by animals, so it can be used normally and should have no problem making it to the nearest station for maintenance."

Lei Yi agreed, "When we get to the rest stop, I'll let everyone have a good rest."

The students relaxed and enjoyed the scenery outside the window, and the carriage became much quieter.

Lei Yi sat forward and whispered to Hao Jian, "Compared to the valuable information we've obtained at Yamafutu, what's a car? We must bring them back, even if there are casualties. They might even have a significant impact on the global situation!"

Hao Jian nodded slightly, gazing out over the muddy road ahead, his voice filled with worry. "If those relief murals truly correspond to every major event in history, does that mean the end of the world is imminent? Sigh! I really wish the car could go faster, or even grow wings so I could quickly send the data back for careful study and figure out what's going on."

Li Changcai was in a depressed state, his eyes hollow and filled with fear. His lips trembled as he muttered to himself, "This can't be true! The future is too terrifying! I must...I must find a way to survive..."

Wang Zewei, who was sleeping soundly in the car seat, had a frown on his face and a worried look on his face. It was unknown whether he was experiencing a nightmare or sensing something unusual.

As fate turns, where does the future lead?

……

The second part of the "Devouring Immortal Universe" series, "The Killing Pagoda", has been completed.