“Meng Chuan, the more you cultivate saber arts, the more you will have to rely on yourself. What I can teach you is limited,” Ge Yu said with a smile as he drank his alcohol. “I can only tell you how I figured out Force. Back when I was on the battlefield in Qinyang Pass, I faced demons in life-and-death battles. I began to find my saber arts rather burdensome, so I gradually modified my saber arts.”
“I used whatever killed demons the easiest. After my military service, I requested to remain at Qinyang Pass and spent twelve years there. One day, my self-created saber arts reached perfection, and I figured out Saber Force,” said Ge Yu.
“A self-created saber art?” Meng Chuan was astonished.
“That’s right.” Ge Yu smiled as he drank his alcohol. “Once you cultivate a top-notch saber art to perfection, you will be able to comprehend the secret technique and reach the Unity realm. You will be able to figure out Saber Force if you create a top-notch technique you can call your own.”
“Dean, what kind of saber art did you create? Can I have a look?” Meng Chuan asked curiously.
“Haha, feast your eyes.” At the time, the half-drunk Ge Yu grew excited as he began to showcase his saber art.
His saber arts were more sinister, more bizarre, and even more ferocious.
Ge Yu was thin, but he had a long saber. He was like a mandrel brandishing its saber. Saber flashes surrounded him as if every part of his body could produce saber flashes. The courtyard became much colder; countless leaves tore apart and fluttered under the saber beam. Meng Chuan felt his heart chill when seeing the sinister and bizarre saber art.
This was just a demonstration—one that didn’t involve killing enemies with all his might. It was probably ten times more powerful when it came to killing enemies.
This was Eastcalm Prefecture’s swiftest saber.
“This saber art isn’t suitable for you.” Ge Yu swung his saber and stabbed it into the scabbard hanging by his side. He smiled and said, “This is the most suitable saber art for me. I’m small-sized and skinny, but my arms are quite long. This saber art is suitable for my build. For ordinary people like you, it’s best to cultivate the Falling Leaf Saber. The Falling Leaf Saber was created by a Godfiend from Archean Mountain, so it’s the most suitable to build a foundation with.”
“The Mirror Lake Dao Academy doesn’t have much left to teach you since you’ve perfected the Falling Leaf Saber. You’ll need to rely on yourself,” said Ge Yu with a smile. “As a dean, I don’t have any other extravagant wishes. I just want to produce a Archean Mountain Godfiend in my life. Haha, then I—Ge Yu—will be able to brag for the rest of my life.”
…
Meng Chuan contemplated as he recalled the conversation.
“Chuan’er.” Meng Dajiang came to the training grounds.
“Dad.” Meng Chuan stood up.
“Come, follow me to the ancestral mansion to meet your grandaunt,” Meng Dajiang said.
Meng Chuan jolted. “Grandaunt… Dad, are you referring to…?”
“Yes, the Fairy,” said Meng Dajiang softly.
Meng Chuan’s eyes lit up. This was the Meng family’s pride and joy—a pillar of support for the Meng family! The second Godfiend in the Meng family’s history!
“Dad, let’s go!” Meng Chuan was extremely excited and couldn’t wait to see his grandaunt.
…
In the ancestral mansion, Fairy Meng’s residence looked ordinary. All it did was take up an area that was slightly larger than other ordinary yards in the ancestral mansion.
“Follow me in.” Meng Dajiang led Meng Chuan into the courtyard carefully, not daring to make any loud noises.
In the courtyard, an old woman with her walking stick was watching a peach tree blossom. She carefully looked at the flowers that had just bloomed.
Meng Chuan carefully observed.
The old woman was very quiet when she observed the peach blossoms, as though she had become one with the world. If one closed their eyes, one wouldn’t be able to sense the old lady’s existence. Meng Chuan understood that this old lady was likely Fairy Meng—his grandaunt.
“You’re here?” Fairy Meng turned her head and smiled at the father and son duo.
“Quick, greet your grandaunt.” Meng Dajiang urged softly.
Only then did Meng Chuan rush forward. He knelt and kowtowed. “Greetings, Grandaunt.”
“Quickly get up.” Fairy Meng sat down. “Both of you can sit down.”
Only then did Meng Dajiang and Meng Chuan sit to the side.
Meng Chuan was very curious about his grandaunt. He carefully observed her appearance. She had to be very beautiful when she was young. Unbeknownst to him, Fairy Meng looked like a mortal in her thirties or forties before her injury.
“Meng Chuan, come here. Come closer to me,” said Fairy Meng gently.
Meng Chuan immediately sat on a nearby chair.
Fairy Meng held Meng Chuan’s hand and looked at him. The more she looked at him, the more fond she became of him. This was the Meng family’s hope!
“Meng Chuan, you should be at the perfected Marrow Cleansing realm in another two or three months, right?” asked Fairy Meng.
“Yes.” Meng Chuan nodded.
“Foundation Establishment, Body Tempering, Marrow Cleansing. All of them only forge your foundation. It allows one to cultivate their bodies to perfection,” said Fairy Meng. “When one is at the Mortal Shedding realm, they will begin to shed their mortal coils, cultivate Godfiend bodies, and gradually possess the power of Godfiends. This is a change in life’s natural order. It’s akin to ants transforming into tigers or leopards. We will slowly transform from mortals to Godfiends.”
“The first step in the transformation is the Mortal Shedding realm.”
“This step is especially important. At this stage, one can create an extremely robust Godfiend foundation as long as sufficient valuable treasures are provided..”
“A Godfiend foundation?” Meng Chuan was stunned.
“The growth of a fetus in their mother’s womb is very important,” said Fairy Meng. “Some ancient Godfiend family clans would have pregnant women consume all kinds of valuable treasures. Once born, their children will far exceed their peers.”
“The Mortal Shedding realm is akin to a Godfiend fetus’ growth,” said Fairy Meng. “It can change one’s talent at the most critical moment. I’ve already used up all the treasures our family saved up over the years to exchange for a drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid. When you begin cultivating a Godfiend body, you can immediately consume it. That will allow you to set up a strong foundation. The strength of your body and the purity of your Quintessential Energy will far exceed your peers.”
“Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid?” Meng Dajiang was shocked. “This… Aunt, by doing this…” Perhaps more than half the Meng family’s savings had been spent.
This matter hadn’t been discussed with the clan leader and Elders. After all, Meng Dajiang hadn’t known.
“This is my decision, and I’ve already done it,” said Fairy Meng. “A Godfiend’s foundation is very important. If you miss the earliest period during the Mortal Shedding realm, no amount of treasures in the future can change the foundation. It’s worth expending all our family’s resources for this drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid!”
Meng Chuan suddenly felt immense pressure.
Why is Grandaunt putting all her effort into this? To exchange all the family clan’s treasures for a single drop of a Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid, and it’s for me? The family clan has always maintained fair rules. I have only figured out the secret technique. Whether I become a Godfiend is still unknown. Why is the family grooming me to such an extent?
“Meng Chuan.” Fairy Meng smiled as she looked at this child that shared her blood. She could tell that he was feeling uneasy. “I’m severely injured and can only live another seven to eight years. Therefore, I can’t afford to wait any longer. I have to do my best to groom you.”
Meng Chu
an was stunned.
The pillar of the family clan can only live for another seven to eight years?
Fairy Meng continued, “Not only did I exchange a drop of the Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid for you, all the credit I accumulated with Archean Mountain by battling with demons for 80 years will be transferred to you as long as you achieve Saber Force before twenty years of age.”
“Aunt, this credit was accumulated by you over so many years,” said Meng Dajiang.
“It’s worth it as long as the family clan can produce another Godfiend.” Fairy Meng looked at Meng Chuan. “Meng Chuan, you are our family’s only hope. I have a feeling that you can shoulder all of this.”
When Meng Chuan was six, he experienced a calamity. His temperament was extraordinary, so he quickly accepted it. He nodded and said, “Grandaunt, I don’t know if I can become a Godfiend, but I will do everything I can!”
“To still be calm at this moment.” Fairy Meng smiled and nodded. “Very good. You didn’t disappoint me.”
Meng Dajiang felt a little nervous.
“Dajiang.” Fairy Meng said, “Perhaps you might not agree with how I’m telling Meng Chuan everything and betting everything on him. But to become a Godfiend, how can one not have a strong fortitude? You have to believe in your son. Meng Chuan is stronger than you think.”
Chapter 19
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
Meng Dajiang looked at his son and thought about the battles at the Demon-Slaying Meet two days ago. He understood. Although his son was still young, it was indeed time for him to be independent.
“Before Meng Chuan cultivates a Godfiend body, bring him to me to get the Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid.” Fairy Meng exhorted.
“Yes,” replied Meng Dajiang.
That drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid was incomparably precious.
Even for geniuses from some ancient Godfiend family clans in the imperial capital, they were unable to obtain a drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Liquid to forge their Godfiend foundation. Generally speaking, only one-in-a-century geniuses would receive intense grooming by an ancient Godfiend family clan. For Godfiend family clans with limited heritage, how could they possibly bet everything on one child like the Meng family?
“Meng Chuan, you can ask me if you have any questions regarding your cultivation,” said Fairy Meng with a smile. “You can also talk to me if you encounter any trouble.”
“Grandaunt.” Meng Chuan immediately said, “I do have something I am rather perplexed about.”
“Let me guess. How do you reach the next stage for saber arts?” said Fairy Meng with a smile.
“Yes.” Meng Chuan nodded. “I’ve asked the dean at the Dao Academy. He only said that he figured out Saber Force by creating a top-notch saber art.”
“That’s indeed a method.” Fairy Meng nodded as she looked at Meng Dajiang. “Dajiang, how did you break through?”
Meng Dajiang was taken aback as he reminisced. He said, “Back when I served in the military, each member of a team was delegated with particular tasks. I was responsible for holding back demons. Therefore, I mainly cultivated three saber moves. I stayed at Qinyang Pass for ten years. I later returned to our hometown and traveled the surrounding prefectures along the way. I happened to encounter a battle between a woman and a demon.”
Meng Dajiang looked at Meng Chuan and smiled. “That was your mother.”
Meng Chuan’s heart trembled. Mom?
“Your mother was very pretty. I will never forget your mother’s figure fighting demons under the sun. Pumped with energy back then, I rushed forward without any thought and used my saber art to easily hold back demons. My saber art felt especially ethereal and extremely easy. I actually figured out Saber Force just like that,” said Meng Dajiang with a smile. “The first time I met your mother was the day I figured out Saber Force. How coincidental.”
“Dajiang accumulated ten years of experience on the battlefield before breaking through that very day,” said Fairy Meng. “Dajiang simply cultivated three moves, while the Mirror Lake Dao Academy dean created a top-notch saber art. Your dean focused on breadth, and Dajiang focused on depth. Neither one is better. In fact, when it comes to holding back enemies, your father is better.”
Meng Chuan nodded as well. “I’ve read Godfiend biographies. Regarding Godfiend Deng Feng, he trained his saber alone in the deep mountains. He drew his saber ten thousand times every day, for twenty years. The moment he left the mountain, he killed a Seamless realm cultivator in one strike while being at the Marrow Cleansing realm.”
“That’s right. To be able to achieve that feat, that one strike would have exceeded the realm of Saber Force. He is a perfect example of depth, just that his talent is much higher than your father’s. That saber strike was so stunning he was directly recruited by Archean Mountain. There’s no need for him to go through a test,” said Fairy Meng. “However, having no guidance meant a fatal flaw in his saber arts—he only knew a single move! If others understood him completely and targeted his weaknesses, he would have been in trouble. Of course, he was recruited by Archean Mountain the moment he showed the tip of the iceberg, so he quickly fixed that weakness. He became even more powerful, becoming truly invincible in that era.”
Meng Chuan nodded slightly.
“I spent a long time at Calm Sea Pass and received guidance from King Calm Sea,” said Fairy Meng. “It’s hard to estimate how strong King Calm Sea is; he has an extremely high status in Archean Mountain. In terms of strength, he is definitely not inferior to the Godfiend Deng Feng that you mentioned.”
Meng Chuan obviously knew that King Calm Sea was very powerful.
In Eastcalm Prefecture, ordinary mortals would go to Qinyang Pass for military service! As for the Godfiends of Eastcalm Prefecture, most of them went to Calm Sea Pass. The commander at Calm Sea Pass was King Calm Sea. Even the imperial family of the Great Zhou Dynasty respected him greatly, directly conferring him the title of king.
“King Calm Sea once told me”—Fairy Meng looked at Meng Chuan and continued—”that cultivation requires one to follow one’s intuition and follow what one likes the most before forging forward. You will go further and further. When you look back after a few decades, you would’ve far surpassed your former self. I’ll share this saying with you as well. Follow your heart and proceed down what you like the most.”
“Okay.” Meng Chuan nodded.
…
Meng Chuan returned to the Mirror Lake Meng Manor training grounds. He ate some fruit alone as he sat there, contemplating.
King Calm Sea’s words of advice to my grandaunt and the fourth commandment out of the nine commandments I figured out—”Novice and Grandmaster”—share some similarities, Meng Chuan mused to himself. Since I’ve to follow my intuition and do what my heart desires, I’ll be able to put more heart into cultivation and enjoy it. This will deepen my love for it. I’ll even have a chance of becoming a grandmaster.
After listening to the dean, Dad, and Grandaunt, I know how I should be cultivating next by following the nine cultivation commandments. Meng Chuan already had an idea. However, he still had to listen to his seniors who had achieved Force for validation.
Sixth of the nine cultivation commandments: Turn what you learn into a system. This way, there will not be any fatal flaws. What decides the life and death of an expert typically depends on his most fatal weakness! As long as he has a clear weakness, it would be targeted in the future. If he is restrained, he will lose his life! One failure will be equivalent to losing your life despite the hundred victories gained from using one skill to eat your fill.
Godfiend Deng Feng was only good with one move! Grandaunt also said that Godfiend Deng Feng had a fatal flaw. Fortunately, he was immediately recruited into Archean Mountain which made up for his shortcomings.
As a saber user, there are only three aspects—killing enemies, defense, and escaping. These three moves form a system. Next, I’ll focus on these three paths.
Fifth commandment: Progress in the day, change over the months, success would ultimately come.
The ancients once said, “Piling up small quantities of earth daily, you can create a mountain with time. The mountain makes wind possible, which in turn brings in the rain. Channeling small streams and connecting them, you can create a lake—which in turn will bring about aquatic life. Continuously doing good deeds for people and being kind to them—no matter how small each deed may be—you’ll have cultivated the heart of a saint. Take a few steps every day and you’ll finish a journey of a thousand miles. The ocean is but an amalgamation of rivers. The mythical unicorn can’t reach heaven in one leap. An old horse that does not cease running will bring you home. If you give up, you won’t even break a piece of rotten wood. Persevering will allow one to carve gold into shape. Earthworms have no bones and claws but they can go up and down the earth. Hermit crabs—with their six legs and two pincers—can’t even make their own homes without taking over holes already made by snakes and eels.”
But there is a fatal flaw.
Even if progress is made daily, if one walks a huge circle, they will still end up in the same spot! Walking the wrong direction will not bring me to the destination a thousand miles away.
It’s the same for cultivation as well… If there’s no clear direction, and all one does is cultivate, it’s very likely to be led astray. It’s also possible that I’ll just be going in circles. Even if it takes ten or twenty years, nothing will come out of it. This is also one of the reasons why Godfiend Deng Feng’s cultivation in most saber arts failed.
Many juniors diligently cultivated saber arts like Godfiend Deng Feng! However, many of them met with failure—most giving up midway! That was because they had the guidance of their Dao Academies and the guidance of their elders. Who could ignore the interference from the outside world and waste eight hours every day to practice a single move?
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