CHAPTER 474:

Kill Me More Times, I’ll Become Invincible

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Zhong Province, Imperial Capital.

Qiao Mu walked with Wu Jing and Li Gongde along the long street of the Imperial Capital, seeing crowds of travelers bustling by, very vibrant.

Now, six months had passed since the Immortal Gate had hidden away, and the Great Dao Sect temple in the Imperial Capital had long been abandoned; new buildings had already arisen in that area.

On the streets, besides the common people, there were also some soldiers with noticeably bulging temples patrolling, clearly showing signs of having developed internal strength.

"In just six months, the number of martial artists with internal strength has increased," Qiao Mu said.

"Is the effect of the Seven-colored Spiritual Rice from the Xuantian Sect really that great?"

The Xuantian Sect has Seven-colored Spiritual Rice, while other Immortal Gates also have different types of spiritual rice.

These spiritual rices are weaker in effect compared to real heavenly treasures, and can barely be considered a type of spiritual herb or medicine, but they have a very high yield per acre.

Behind me, Li Gongde replied, "It is useful, but not every martial artist in Jiu Province can be as common as cabbages; within just half a year, they won’t all have made progress in their internal strength."

"In my view, the main reason here is still the influence of the Qiao family members and Peach Blossom Villa."

Peach Blossom Villa brings not only solid martial arts secrets to Jiu Province, but also some precious intangible things.

For example, hope.

Before "Qiao Shuangtu" became famous as invincible in Jiu Province, practicing martial arts was a difficult and winding path.

Martial artists cannot compete with those who practice immortality, and even when they reach the end, they are not a match; it’s a definite dead-end job that even a dog wouldn’t choose.

Those from Jiu Province with spiritual roots have all pursued the path of immortality; only those without spiritual roots might step onto the path of martial arts.

Martial Saint’s Taotie Martial Art seems a bit longer, but it is a case of one general achieving success at the cost of countless bones, not comparable to Martial Saint’s Taotie Swallowing Heaven Skill, where practitioners will become prey.

The existence of Qiao Shuangtu has already become a remarkable landmark for martial artists in Jiu Province.

Even if it is unreachable, the heart can still dream of it.

"That is why there are more martial artists in the Imperial Capital, and the soldiers of the Great Yan Imperial Court have regained their strength," Wu Jing said, looking at a group of internal strength martial artists patrolling the street.

"The Young Emperor may be hard to say, but the Founding Emperor Yan is indeed no easy character; he won’t let the Great Yan Imperial Court waste this six months." ṟâɴỌ₿Ɛṥ

"It seems there’s a tough battle waiting over at Wang Songhe’s side."

Six months is too short; both the north and south sides are still recovering their strength.

The Great Yan Imperial Court is trying to regain contact with other states, while the South King’s army is no longer confined to Nan Province.

Wang Songhe was indeed once a loyal minister who died in protest while carrying a coffin.

However, waving the flags of "mountain bandits" and the "South King army" is not a child’s game; he will not cheer for the new emperor of Great Yan with tears in his eyes and surrender.

Six months might be manageable, but if time goes on and the south and north continue their conflict, there will surely be a battle.

"A hard fight between the south and north? You are right about that."

At this moment, Qiao Mu and the others had walked down the long street and arrived at the palace gate of the royal city. He looked up at the crimson palace walls and said calmly:

"It would be reasonable to meet Founding Emperor Yan on the battlefield someday."

"But I wonder if that day will come sooner than today?"

Friends are friends, and stances are stances; Founding Emperor Yan will always stand with the Great Yan Royal Family, while Qiao Mu does not strictly share the same position with him.

Just then, a strong wind swept by.

A figure appeared before them; it was Founding Emperor Yan.

When Qiao Mu arrived at the Imperial Capital, Founding Emperor Yan instinctively sensed it and was aware.

The two stood facing each other, their gazes crossing in the air.

"Is this the unbeatable Qiao Shuangtu? Since you are such an esteemed guest, let’s enter the palace through the main gate," Founding Emperor Yan said, his eyes displaying slight complexity.

The last member of the Qiao family to enter the palace destroyed the Golden Throne Hall along the way, broke through the Imperial Guards, and even assassinated the current emperor.

………………………

A moment later, in the Imperial Palace’s royal garden.

"What? You want to ask about the Wuji Association’s Sun Xuan Envoy hidden inside the palace? So, that’s why you’re here?"

"No problem, meeting that Sun Xuan Envoy is also fine."

The Founding Emperor Yan did not show any hostility about secrets being discovered; instead, he was very warm and cheerful, like an old man who had not had guests for a long time.

"Half a year ago, when we said goodbye, I was worried about how to thank you for your generous gifts, but now it seems fine," the Founding Emperor Yan said with a laugh.

Soon, a thin middle-aged man appeared in front of them.

The middle-aged man looked pale and worn, with a face without any expression, very serious.

He was the opposite of the always friendly rich man, Li Gongde.

"The Sun Xuan Envoy is known as Black Sun in the Wuji Association, and his real name is… Zhang Yinguo."

The thin middle-aged man exchanged a silent glance with Li Gongde, and after a while, he shook his head.

"It seems that this time, the bet we placed was a loss for me."

After Martial Saint’s death and the collapse of the Wuji Association, the Moon Xuan Envoy of Zhong Province, Li Gongde, stood on Qiao Mu’s side.

The target of Envoy Sun Xuan’s bet is the three-hundred-year-old immortal of the human world, Founding Emperor Yan.

Both have received the legacy of the Merit Sect and are seen as thorns in the eyes of the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates, so they naturally need to seek a large tree for shelter.

When Envoy Sun Xuan Zhang Yinguo left the Wuji Association, he took with him part of the modern methods from the armory, as well as the so-called "First Sage."

However, it is clear that Envoy Sun Xuan did not expect…

Less than a month after the Wuji Association collapsed, Qiao Shuangtu became so powerful that he was invincible, making the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates retreat from their sharp edge and hide away.

Now that the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates are closed off,散修 like him can actually walk freely on the land of Jiu Province without worrying about the harm from the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates…

"What is there to win or lose?" Founding Emperor Yan said nonchalantly.

"In terms of martial skills, I really cannot compare to the invincible Qiao Shuangtu; that is a fact."

"How about we talk about that generous gift instead?"

The Founding Emperor Yan and members of the Qiao family met several times, exchanging martial arts books as a gesture of friendship.

The last time, Qiao Mu gave him items from the Wuji Association’s treasure house, including "Buddha’s Palm" and "Vajra Immortal Skill."

He also offered one leaf of the Nine-colored Fairy Lotus, the most precious treasure of the Blood Lotus Sect.

For the Founding Emperor Yan, who possesses the Medicine Spirit Body, this was indeed a very valuable gift, causing him, as the head of the Great Yan Royal Family, to worry about how to return the favor next time.

Now he had an idea.

"Come with me to the secret chamber under the palace to see the ‘First Sage’ brought by Sun Xuan Envoy," the Founding Emperor Yan said with a bright smile.

Sun Xuan Envoy’s pupils narrowed slightly.

Qiao Mu was also a bit shocked.

This First Sage was very important; it could be said to be the most crucial martial arts seed in Martial Saint’s eyes, even more than Wu Mingkong.

Who knew that finding the answer would be so easy after searching high and low, especially after discovering Founding Emperor Yan?

……………………….

The secret room that holds the "First Sage" is located just beneath the royal garden of the palace.

As Founding Emperor Yan pressed a switch on the rockery, the stone-paved ground split apart with a rumble, revealing a deep passage that went downwards.

Founding Emperor Yan lit an oil lamp to lead the way.

Sun Xuan Envoy followed closely behind.

Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo did not look pleased, but since Founding Emperor Yan had made a decision, he naturally would not object.

The group descended the stairs, gradually going deeper underground.

This underground secret room seemed quite deep, and a chill filled the air; the further they went down, the colder it became.

"The so-called first wise man is actually the most important martial arts seed in Martial Saint’s eyes." He began to explain at this moment:

"The seventy-two wise men each have their own strengths. The third-ranked Wu Qiankun is the highest in martial arts, known as the ‘Little Martial Saint.’ The second, Wu Mingkong, is the best talent in the world, and the first wise man…."

"Is there really a martial artist with talent higher than Wu Mingkong’s?" Qiao Mu asked casually.

However, Sun Xuan Envoy did not answer directly; he only said:

"If that is the case, then the person Martial Saint sent to Peach Blossom Villa should be this first wise man, not Wu Mingkong."

"Mr. Qiao Shuangtu, there are some people in this world for whom breaking through in their practice is as easy as eating or drinking."

"Skills that normal people take years or decades of hard work to master, they can comprehend the secrets in a short time and even surpass others."

"The first kind of person is the extraordinary genius with outstanding talent recognized by the world."

Qiao Mu nodded.

These people, in fact, he has seen many of them before. They learn things faster than others, and there is no reason for it.

In other words… anyone who can reach the third rank of spiritual refining in the old martial arts world is a talented martial artist.

Those who can reach the superb rank are exceptionally rare geniuses in Jiu Province.

Except for him.

"So, what about the second type of person?" Qiao Mu asked.

The second type of person mentioned by Sun Xuan Envoy, could it be him?

"The second type of person is naturally me," Founding Emperor Yan confidently replied.

However, Sun Xuan Envoy glanced at him and shook his head.

"While the founding ancestor is indeed an extraordinary talent, he possesses a unique constitution, which allows him to accumulate great strength."

"Strong as they may be, they are not the two types of people I mentioned… those who can break through in their training exceptionally fast, in an unnatural way."

"So by your words, Martial Saint does not belong in this category?" Founding Emperor Yan glanced at Sun Xuan Envoy.

"That’s right." Sun Xuan Envoy replied calmly:

"Martial Saint is indeed a top talent in martial arts, but without the Taotie Swallowing Heaven Skill to steal the energy of others, he could at most become a second Earth Sword Immortal."

"The second type of people I speak of are not like this."

At this, Sun Xuan Envoy looked at Qiao Mu and said:

"I have heard that the Xuantian Sect from Nan Province is skilled in alchemy. They have a method of training called the Medicine Man, where those who practice it make use of people as medicine. Medicine Men who practice this skill progress rapidly in their training."

"If the first type of people are born with natural talent, then the second type have their birth influenced by human intervention, like the reincarnation of immortals or the Medicine Men of the Xuantian Sect… perhaps they should be called artificial talents."

Qiao Mu nodded, and Wang Songhe was one of them.

Although the improvement came quickly, there were still natural shortcomings, which posed great risks.

"And the first wise one in this underground secret room is this second type of person."

When Sun Xuan Envoy said this, they had reached the bottom of the underground secret room, and the chill grew stronger.

The oil lamp in Founding Emperor Yan’s hand dispelled the darkness, revealing a faintly glowing long object in the secret room ahead.

Upon closer inspection, it was clearly a cold and translucent ice crystal long shuttle, perfectly sealed without any gaps, like a solid chunk of ice carved from a glacier.

The ice crystal long shuttle seemed to be the source of the swirling cold air, and at that moment, a faint icy mist surrounded it, revealing a motionless girl with a graceful figure inside, like a lifeless body.

"This treasure is called ‘Bitter Sea Light Boat,’ which can put living beings into a state of suspended animation to avoid disaster," the gaunt Sun Xuan Envoy said, lowering his eyes.

"My technique, ‘Heavenly Frost Righteous Method,’ can maintain the functioning of this Bitter Sea Light Boat, requiring energy to be supplied every few days."

"The Bitter Sea Light Boat is a light vessel that helps one cross the bitter sea," Sun Xuan Envoy sighed softly.

"This world is full of hardships, so I will use this Bitter Sea Light Boat to pass through it, until I wake up on the other side of the bitter sea, a hundred or a thousand years later."

"But this treasure can only be used once; once it is activated, it will be destroyed and cannot be used a second time."

"So please, Mr. Qiao Shuangtu, be careful and do not damage this precious treasure."

Qiao Mu originally wanted to step forward and examine the faint figure in the Bitter Sea Light Boat, but upon hearing this, he could only stop.

"I see, so this is the most important seed of martial arts in Martial Saint’s heart, the greatest hope of martial arts." Wu Jing’s expression was complicated.

The third wise one is Wu Qiankun, the person who has gone the farthest in Taotie Martial Art.

The second wise one is Wu Mingkong, who was later sent by Martial Saint to Peach Blossom Villa, clearly intending for her to pursue martial arts as a Qiao family member.

And what about the first wise one?

"The first wise one is a blank sheet of paper, a beautiful blank sheet made of excellent material," said Sun Xuan Envoy.

"If the martial path of this age is not as good as the immortal path, then we will wait for a hundred years, a thousand years… When the martial path flourishes after many years, let her come to practice a better way."

"And I am the one entrusted by Martial Saint, the first wise person." The Sun Xuan Envoy said, looking up at the dark-eyed Qiao Mu.

"Wu Mingkong has learned the martial arts of your Qiao family; having one such martial seed is enough. The second seed will be kept for another day, so I choose the long-lived person from the mortal world, Founding Emperor Yan."

"He is, apart from the Qiao family, the longest-living martial artist in the world. Perhaps he can live even longer, for hundreds or even thousands of years."

"So, he is the person I placed my bet on—though it seems now, perhaps it is no longer necessary."

The Sun Xuan Envoy waved his hand.

"The Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates are no more. Jiu Province has been peaceful for half a year, and no immortal has appeared. Perhaps there is no need for a ‘first wise person’ anymore."

"The founding ancestor is right; perhaps guarding this Bitter Sea Light Boat is already useless. It might be better to give it to Peach Blossom Villa."

He looked at Qiao Mu and slowly said.

"Martial Saint named the first wise one Wu Feixian. But if you prefer, you can call her Qiao Feixian, or choose another name, that would be fine too."

The conversation reached this point.

Sun Xuan Envoy Zhang Yinguo’s originally gray hair turned completely white at a noticeable speed, and he looked even more thin, like a piece of dry wood.