Chapter 144: Saber Slash On Grandmaster! Twenty-eight Martial Dao Steles, Above Grandmaster!
“Ding.”
The short sword stabbed into Ji Qing’s palm.
However, Ji Qing’s hand was not pierced through.
Instead, it emitted a crisp sound like metal clashing against metal.
Shadow Ghost’s expression changed drastically in an instant.
“How is that possible?”
In fact, not only Shadow Ghost, but the other Grandmasters also widened their eyes, as if they couldn’t believe it.
If it were an ordinary person, that would be one thing.
Disarming an opponent barehanded isn’t that difficult.
But Shadow Ghost is a Grandmaster, and this was his full-force sword strike.
Ji Qing was not only unscathed, but he was disarming an opponent barehanded?
It was simply unbelievable.
These people naturally did not know that Ji Qing’s current Innate Body was the Innate Five Elements Destruction Body, which most restrained the Power of the Five Elements.
Shadow Ghost’s full-force strike was unfortunate, as his Innate True Qi was also of the Five Elements, perfectly restrained by Ji Qing’s Innate Five Elements Destruction Body.
Therefore, Ji Qing dared to disarm an opponent barehanded.
After Ji Qing grabbed Shadow Ghost’s hand, he sent forth a surge of Innate True Qi from his body.
“Kacha.”
The short sword was rapidly frozen.
Terrifying cold air rapidly spread toward Shadow Ghost.
Shadow Ghost immediately made a decision.
He immediately let go, abandoning his weapon.
He then struck three palms at Ji Qing from a distance, before kicking off with both feet and fleeing swiftly toward outside the Great Hall.
Attempting to retreat.
This was the typical assassin style.
If one strike missed, immediately flee a thousand miles.
But how could Ji Qing let Shadow Ghost have his way?
“Keng.”
Ji Qing drew his sword.
Yet the Grandmasters present surprisingly could not see the speed of Ji Qing’s Draw Sword.
They only saw a brilliant blade light, resplendent like a starry river, tearing through the void and landing on Shadow Ghost.
“Ah…”
Shadow Ghost let out a miserable scream.
He then fell to the ground.
“Peng.”
A muffled sound.
By the time Shadow Ghost hit the ground, he was already an ice sculpture.
Moreover, there was a deep bloodstain on his neck.
Clearly, he was first slashed by saber qi, then frozen into an ice sculpture.
With Shadow Ghost’s death, the entire Great Hall immediately fell silent, as if plunged into dead silence.
The numerous Grandmasters looked at Ji Qing with complex expressions.
Emotions such as dread, terror, and more filled their hearts.
Elder Crane of Ling Xiao Pavilion let out a long sigh and said, “Sigh, Mister Ji, we didn’t expect Shadow Ghost to be so reckless as to attack you directly. He was from an assassin background, cold and ruthless, selfish and self-serving. Ending up like this is his own fault!”
The other Grandmasters also reacted.
They all said, “Well killed! Shadow Ghost should have been killed long ago!”
“Mister Ji, we will abide by your rules and exchange martial arts or demons for spirit stones.”
These Grandmasters all expressed their stance.
Ji Qing’s icy gaze softened slightly.
His eyes swept over the numerous Grandmasters one by one, and he said coldly, “I hope this is the last time something like this happens.”
“Alright, now I’ll announce the martial arts I want.”
Ji Qing did not take Shadow Ghost’s matter to heart.
He was just a Grandmaster who became greedy upon seeing the spirit stones; that was too normal.
However, a Grandmaster corpse could also serve as a warning.
Ji Qing had selected so many martial arts earlier, and there were indeed some that satisfied him.
“Innate Qi Great Capture Hand, whose martial art is this?”
Ji Qing announced the first martial art he had selected.
“This old man is Mo Heng. The Innate Qi Great Capture Hand is this old man’s martial art.”
An elder carrying a medicine box and leaning on a walking stick appeared.
Ji Qing’s eyes flickered slightly.
He knew this Grandmaster.
“So it’s Doctor Mo. I’m very satisfied with this martial art. Here’s one spirit stone!”
Ji Qing directly tossed a spirit stone to Doctor Mo.
Doctor Mo was overjoyed.
His expression was extremely excited.
This was a spirit stone, after all.
Although it was only one spirit stone, not enough for him to forge an Innate Body, with a few more accumulated spirit stones, he could forge an Innate Body.
“Thank you, Mister Ji.”
Doctor Mo happily put away the spirit stone.
The reason Ji Qing chose the Innate Qi Great Capture Hand was very simple.
This martial art allowed attack from a distance and could only be cultivated by Grandmasters, because only a Grandmaster’s Innate True Qi could leave the body.
Moreover, it was a martial art focused on restriction and control.
Extremely powerful.
After cultivating it, Ji Qing wouldn’t have to see blood every time he made a move.
He could also capture directly with his hands.
The key was that Ji Qing cultivated Innate Five Elements Destruction True Qi, which naturally restrained things of the Five Elements.
When facing an opponent, he could simply slap and capture them.
The opponent wouldn’t even be able to resist.
With this martial art in hand, it complemented Ji Qing’s Innate Five Elements Destruction True Qi perfectly, with extremely high compatibility.
“There’s also Void Evasion Technique, whose martial art is it?”
“It’s my martial art.”
Ji Qing also directly gave out a spirit stone.
This Void Evasion Technique was specifically for Innate Grandmasters to use for flight.
Its characteristic was extremely fast flight speed.
Ji Qing’s current movement technique was only Thousand Mile Divine Movement, far inferior to Void Evasion Technique.
At least it was a “technique.”
It should have drawn from some Immortal Path flight magic.
But regardless, it was pure martial arts.
The only drawback was that it consumed too much Innate True Qi.
But Ji Qing’s Innate True Qi was already vast, and he had plenty of spirit stones, so he wasn’t afraid of consumption at all.
However, Ji Qing was still short one saber technique.
But he wasn’t too satisfied with these people’s saber techniques.
“Mister Ji, are you looking for a saber technique suitable for you?”
Elder Crane asked.
“Indeed, does Ling Xiao Pavilion have Innate Level saber techniques?”
Elder Crane shook his head.
“Ling Xiao Pavilion does have Innate Level saber techniques, but Mister Ji might not fancy them. Moreover, since Mister Ji has already condensed Saber Intent, why not create your own saber technique?”
“Create my own saber technique?”
Ji Qing was slightly stunned.
“Yes, only self-created martial arts fit oneself the most. Besides, we are all Grandmasters now; it wouldn’t be difficult to spend a lot of time creating our own martial art.”
Ji Qing was moved.
Creating other martial arts, he wasn’t skilled at.
But saber technique?
He had even comprehended Saber Intent, so couldn’t he create an Innate Level saber technique?
Just as Elder Crane said, a self-created saber technique would be the most suitable for himself!
Ji Qing decided to create his own saber technique, so he no longer sought to purchase one.
Ji Qing had currently traded for two Innate Level martial arts: Innate Qi Great Capture Hand and Void Evasion Technique, and also traded for several top secret manuals that could cultivate five or even six acupoints.
Ordinary secret manuals could only cultivate three.
Top secret manuals were indeed rare.
Ji Qing simply used a few spirit stones to exchange for top secret manuals.
The Grandmasters who obtained spirit stones were all elated.
While the Grandmasters who didn’t obtain spirit stones couldn’t hide their disappointment.
But Ji Qing said, “Everyone, I have plenty of spirit stones on me. As long as you can capture demons alive, you can come to me anytime to exchange for spirit stones!”
With Ji Qing’s guarantee, the Grandmasters who didn’t obtain spirit stones finally felt slightly relieved.
Some were even eager to leave and search for demon traces.
“Elder Crane, can we go observe and comprehend the Martial Dao Stele now?”
Ji Qing spoke up.
He was very interested in the “Martial Dao Stele.”
After all, it concerned the path above Grandmaster, which was extremely important to Ji Qing.
“Of course, please follow this old man to observe the Martial Dao Stele!”
Thus, the three elders of Ling Xiao Pavilion led the numerous Grandmasters to the underground of Ling Xiao Pavilion.
Ling Xiao Pavilion had, at some unknown time, carved out a massive underground palace beneath the ground.
This underground palace was full of mechanisms and heavily guarded.
It was clearly Ling Xiao Pavilion’s secret place.
Soon, the group arrived at the depths of the underground palace.
They saw stone tablets standing tall one after another ahead.
Each stone tablet was over three zhang tall.
They bore patterns and countless tiny characters introducing the origin of each Martial Dao Stele.
A total of twenty-eight Martial Dao Steles.
The shortest was three zhang, the tallest over ten zhang!
“Everyone, these are the twenty-eight Martial Dao Steles!”
“Each of these Martial Dao Steles was left by a supreme figure above Dao Foundation.”
“The taller the Martial Dao Stele, the higher the Martial Dao Realm of its owner. For example, a three-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele might be from someone who just forged Dao Foundation; if it’s four or five zhang tall, it might be from a veteran Dao Foundation Expert.”
“As for the tallest three Martial Dao Steles, all over ten zhang, they are from above Dao Foundation, left by ‘Heavenly Humans.’ Dao Foundation corresponds to Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Immortal Path, while ‘Heavenly Human’ corresponds to Golden Core Cultivators of the Immortal Path!”
“Boom.”
The crowd’s minds buzzed.
Stormy seas rose in their hearts.
Dao Foundation corresponding to Foundation Establishment?
Heavenly Human corresponding to Golden Core?
This meant that there was indeed a path above Grandmaster.
And the path was very broad!
Moreover, these twenty-eight Martial Dao Steles also demonstrated some information.
This showed that even before the great era of cultivation, martial artists could still contend with cultivators!
Those three Martial Dao Steles over ten zhang tall were proof.
Three “Heavenly Humans”—how powerful was that?
The so-called “Foundation Establishment Old Ancestors” now would have to be extremely respectful before “Heavenly Humans.”
“However, please act according to your ability. The Martial Dao Steles contain profound Martial Dao truths. Those with insufficient comprehension will find it hard to comprehend, and those incompatible with a Martial Dao Stele will also find it difficult.”
“Everyone can now try them out and see which Martial Dao Stele you are most compatible with, then cultivate that one.”
Elder Crane’s words made the Grandmasters’ hearts burn with passion.
A free chance to comprehend the Martial Dao Steles?
Then they wouldn’t hold back!
They all sat under the Martial Dao Steles and began attempting comprehension.
“Everyone can rest assured and comprehend here. If you have any needs, you can instruct Ling Xiao Pavilion disciples.”
“This old man can share some experience: only the one that feels most comfortable and most compatible allows comprehension of the Martial Dao Stele to the deepest level. Conversely, if it feels uncomfortable or you comprehend nothing, it means this Martial Dao Stele isn’t suitable for you. Forcing it further is just a waste of time.”
The crowd pondered thoughtfully.
These were the experiences of Ling Xiao Pavilion’s three elders, and they all firmly memorized them.
“Is there a secret chamber for secluded cultivation here?”
Ji Qing asked.
“Of course, there are many cultivation secret chambers for secluded cultivation. What’s this, does Mister Ji need one?”
“Yes, I want to cultivate the martial arts first, then come comprehend the Martial Dao Steles.”
Ji Qing knew that even if he comprehended these Martial Dao Steles now, it would be hard to gain anything in a short time.
From Grandmaster to Dao Foundation wasn’t that easy.
Instead, the two martial arts he had just obtained could first be upgraded with origin points.
In short, improve his own strength first.
“Good, someone come, take Mister Ji to the neighboring cultivation room.”
“Mister Ji, please follow me.”
A Ling Xiao Pavilion disciple led Ji Qing to the neighboring cultivation room.
The other Grandmasters continued to comprehend the Martial Dao Steles eagerly.
Ji Qing arrived at the cultivation secret chamber, and the Ling Xiao Pavilion disciple left.
This cultivation secret chamber was quite spacious.
Ji Qing immediately took out the Innate Qi Great Capture Hand.
He began to comprehend it in detail.
This Innate Qi Great Capture Hand was a martial art with extremely exquisite use of Innate True Qi.
Ji Qing cultivated for several days before barely reaching beginner.
However, reaching beginner was enough.
“Consume origin points to elevate Innate Qi Great Capture Hand to Perfection.”
The next moment, origin points were rapidly consumed.
Ji Qing watched the origin point number closely; elevating an Innate Level martial art once basically required one hundred origin points.
And for Innate Qi Great Capture Hand, from beginner to Perfection was three elevations, consuming three hundred origin points.
“Boom.”
Ji Qing’s mind boomed, followed by scenes as if he had cultivated Innate Qi Great Capture Hand day and night, until one day, inspiration struck, and in the midst of it, he gained a trace of comprehension.
“Shua.”
Ji Qing opened his eyes.
“Innate Qi Great Capture Hand: Perfection.”
Ji Qing then reached out and grabbed.
A massive hand appeared ten zhang away from his body, viciously grabbing the stone table and squeezing lightly.
“Kacha.”
The stone table was crushed to powder.
This Innate Qi Great Capture Hand could not only capture but also had formidable might.
Especially combined with Ji Qing’s Innate Five Elements Destruction True Qi, the might was even more terrifying.
If he encountered cultivators like Liu Hao again, even with flying swords, Ji Qing could directly use Innate Qi Great Capture Hand to crush them, no need to draw his sword at all.
There was also the “Void Evasion Technique.”
Ji Qing similarly spent several days to reach beginner, then consumed three hundred origin points to elevate it to Perfection.
After reaching Perfection, Void Evasion Technique had extremely fast speed.
Ji Qing flew through the void like a streak of flowing light.
Compared to those cultivators’ sword flight techniques, the speed was probably not much inferior.
Ji Qing was very satisfied; it was worth the three hundred origin points.
After cultivating the two Innate Level martial arts to Perfection, Ji Qing only had 180 origin points left.
He needed to accumulate origin points again.
Otherwise, if he encountered another Innate Level martial art or wanted to improve his cultivation, he wouldn’t have enough origin points.
Ji Qing then emerged from seclusion.
He came to the neighboring hall.
“Eh?”
“Why are there so many more people?”
Ji Qing was somewhat puzzled.
At this time, Elder Crane saw Ji Qing and smiled as he explained, “Besides Grandmasters, anyone who has comprehended Martial Dao Momentum can also comprehend the Martial Dao Steles.”
“So, some First-Rank Martial Artists who have comprehended Martial Dao Momentum have also come to comprehend before the Martial Dao Steles.”
“Mister Ji, you’ve been in seclusion for several days; any gains?”
Ji Qing nodded: “Some improvement. By the way, in these past few days, has anyone comprehended something from the Martial Dao Steles?”
“Yes! Some Grandmasters have found Martial Dao Steles compatible with them, even to a very deep degree, causing the Martial Dao Steles to vibrate.”
Just as the words fell.
“Weng.”
Suddenly, a five-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele began to vibrate.
“It’s Grandmaster Lu! As expected of one of the youngest Grandmasters, with extraordinary comprehension; he actually achieved compatibility with a five-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele.”
Elder Crane praised.
Ji Qing learned that anyone who could make a Martial Dao Stele vibrate had very high compatibility, and would find cultivating the martial arts within even more compatible, with cultivation speed like a thousand miles in a day, and a sliver of hope to forge Dao Foundation!
And the taller the Martial Dao Stele, the more powerful the inherited cultivation technique, and to some extent, the greater the potential.
“So far, which one is the tallest Martial Dao Stele anyone has comprehended?”
Ji Qing asked.
“That would be Grandmaster Ba, of course. This Grandmaster actually made an eight-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele vibrate—huge potential!”
“Mister Ji, since you’ve emerged from seclusion, why not also go comprehend a Martial Dao Stele? See which one you’re compatible with?”
Elder Crane said softly.
These words made many Grandmasters unable to help but turn their gazes to Ji Qing.
Everyone present knew Ji Qing was currently the youngest Grandmaster.
Moreover, a Great Grandmaster!
His talent was unimaginably high.
Even placed in the great cultivation era a thousand years ago, Ji Qing’s talent would be among the absolute top tier.
“Good, Ji Mou was just thinking that!”
Ji Qing didn’t stand on ceremony.
He had finished cultivating his martial arts, so next he naturally had to fully comprehend these Martial Dao Steles.
Thus, Ji Qing came before the first Martial Dao Stele.
There was also someone in front of this Martial Dao Stele.
Seemed to be just a First-Rank Martial Artist.
He should have comprehended “Martial Dao Momentum,” so he was allowed to come comprehend the Martial Dao Stele.
Seeing it was Ji Qing, he hurriedly stood up and said respectfully, “Mister Ji, please.”
Ji Qing was world-famous, and this First-Rank Martial Artist naturally knew of his prestige.
“No need to be polite; the Martial Dao Stele is so large, it can accommodate several people comprehending together.”
Ji Qing said indifferently.
“Thank you, Mister Ji.”
The other relaxed.
He then sat cross-legged and continued comprehending the Martial Dao Stele.
Ji Qing also didn’t stand on ceremony and sat before the first Martial Dao Stele.
Many First-Rank Martial Artists were seeing Ji Qing for the first time and couldn’t help but be curious.
They occasionally glanced at Ji Qing.
As for the other Grandmasters, their gazes also carried a hint of scrutiny.
Among Ling Xiao Pavilion’s three elders, Elder Deer spoke: “Elder Crane, with Mister Ji’s talent, which Martial Dao Stele do you think he can comprehend?”
Elder Crane smiled slightly: “Mister Ji’s talent, even placed a thousand years ago, is top tier. In this old man’s view, Mister Ji is most likely to comprehend a nine-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele.”
“A nine-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele? Elder Crane, you really think highly of Ji Qing.”
“Actually, in this old man’s heart, I think Mister Ji can comprehend a ten-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele! After all, if even Mister Ji can’t comprehend a ten-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele, who can?”
Ling Xiao Pavilion’s three elders were very optimistic about Ji Qing.
However, a ten-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele belonged to the domain of “Heavenly Humans,” after all.
It was still very difficult for an Innate Grandmaster to comprehend a ten-zhang tall Martial Dao Stele.
But at least a nine-zhang Martial Dao Stele was definitely no problem.
Not only did Ling Xiao Pavilion’s three elders think this way, the other Grandmasters had similar views.
A Great Grandmaster in his early twenties.
No one doubted his talent anymore.
At this moment, Ji Qing was already sitting before the first Martial Dao Stele.
His gaze fell on the tiny characters on the Martial Dao Stele.
The owner of this Martial Dao Stele was named “Liu Three Swords.”
A swordsman.
“Swordsman?”
Ji Qing was slightly stunned.
But no matter, he would comprehend it first.
See what was so extraordinary about the Martial Dao Stele?
Thus, Ji Qing focused intently on every character on the Martial Dao Stele.
Unknowingly, Ji Qing felt his vision blur.
He looked up at his surroundings.
At some point, he was already in an empty void.
“Shoo.”
Ji Qing suddenly looked up.
A brilliant sword light descended from the sky, landing on him.
