Chapter 146: All Three Martial Dao Steles Compatible, Ling Xiao Pavilion In Uproar!
Grandmaster Bai Tou Weng and Grandmaster Xia Ru Long, the two of them were always side-by-side, one comprehending the thirteenth Martial Dao Stele, the other comprehending the fourteenth Martial Dao Stele.
Both of them felt that the Martial Arts Artistic Conception within the stele was very compatible with themselves.
Yet, they were unable to make the Martial Dao Stele vibrate.
This indicated that the compatibility of the Martial Arts Artistic Conception was still far from enough.
Then they would be unable to obtain the “true inheritance” within the Martial Dao Stele.
The two of them were both dignified Grandmasters, standing at the pinnacle of the Jianghu, and naturally possessed pride and ambition, so they did not give up.
Even Ji Qing, the “Astonishing Swan Saber” and the youngest Great Grandmaster, was only compatible with the first Martial Dao Stele; what complaints could they have?
As long as they could be compatible with the Martial Dao Stele before them, it would mean that their future potential would be higher than Ji Qing, the “Astonishing Swan Saber”!
This also gave them boundless motivation.
But they were now awakened by a violent vibration.
“Who else has become compatible with a Martial Dao Stele?”
The two of them opened their eyes and looked intently.
But upon looking, the two of them were stunned.
The vibration was from the second Martial Dao Stele, and there was only one person in front of the second Martial Dao Stele.
Ji Qing!
Only Ji Qing was sitting cross-legged in front of the second Martial Dao Stele.
This meant that the vibration of the second Martial Dao Stele was because of Ji Qing.
But wasn’t Ji Qing already compatible with the first Martial Dao Stele?
Ji Qing could actually be compatible with the second Martial Dao Stele?
This was simply unbelievable!
Bai Tou Weng and Xia Ru Long exchanged glances.
They could see the surprise in each other’s eyes.
“Grandmaster Xia, haven’t you tried to comprehend two or even three Martial Dao Steles? Do you think it’s easier to be compatible with two or three Martial Dao Steles?”
“No, comprehending even one Martial Dao Stele is extremely difficult, let alone being compatible with two or three. I heard Grandmaster Gao mention before that he had already become compatible with one Martial Dao Stele, and then he wanted to try a second Martial Dao Stele, but no matter which Martial Dao Stele he tried to comprehend, it had no effect. It is too difficult to be compatible with two or three Martial Dao Steles; no one has been able to do it yet.”
“But Ji Qing did it…”
The two of them fell silent.
They didn’t know what was going on.
In fact, it wasn’t just the two Grandmasters; others had also been awakened by the vibration of the Martial Dao Steles to varying degrees.
When they saw that the vibration was from the second Martial Dao Stele and that Ji Qing was sitting in front of it, a stormy sea surged in their hearts.
Didn’t they say that Ji Qing could only be compatible with the first Martial Dao Stele and that his potential was not high?
Then what was going on now?
Simultaneously compatible with two Martial Dao Steles, was this potential high or low?
Many people didn’t understand what was happening.
But Ji Qing knew in his heart.
He suddenly opened his eyes.
He glanced at the progress of his Saber Intent.
“Saber Intent: Beginner （27%）”
Ji Qing remembered very clearly that the progress of his Saber Intent was 15% before, and now? It had reached 27%.
This meant that after integrating the Martial Arts Artistic Conception from the second Martial Dao Stele into his Saber Intent, Ji Qing had actually increased the progress by a full 12%.
After all, the Martial Arts Artistic Conception within the second Martial Dao Stele was a bit stronger than that within the first Martial Dao Stele!
Two Martial Dao Steles had strengthened his Saber Intent by 22%; what about three, five, or ten Martial Dao Steles?
For a moment, Ji Qing’s heart burned, and he immediately went to the third Martial Dao Stele, sat down cross-legged in front of it, and began to comprehend without any delay.
Many Grandmasters were dumbfounded.
Ji Qing was going to comprehend the third Martial Dao Stele?
Bai Tou Weng and Xia Ru Long’s minds harbored an absurd thought.
Ji Qing wasn’t trying to comprehend all the Martial Dao Steles and make them all vibrate, was he?
How was that possible?
They had worked tirelessly, and it was extremely difficult to even be compatible with one Martial Dao Stele, and they hadn’t succeeded yet.
Could Ji Qing be compatible with every Martial Dao Stele?
“No, I won’t comprehend Martial Dao Steles for now. I’ll just keep an eye on Ji Qing and see if he can really comprehend the third Martial Dao Stele and make it vibrate as well?”
“It’ll only take a few hours of delay; I’ll prepare to watch first.”
“If Ji Qing can make the third Martial Dao Stele vibrate, then it would truly be… extraordinary!”
“Let’s watch.”
Many Grandmasters saw that Ji Qing had become compatible with two Martial Dao Steles.
One by one, they found it difficult to calm their minds and comprehend the Martial Dao Steles.
Instead, they all simply stopped comprehending.
They stared at Ji Qing instead.
Wanting to see if Ji Qing could truly be compatible with three Martial Dao Steles?
Ji Qing was unaware that many gazes were focused on him.
He was also unaware that he had unsettled many Grandmasters, making them unable to calm their minds and comprehend.
As always, he wholeheartedly comprehended the Martial Arts Artistic Conception within the third stone tablet.
He didn’t know if it was because of his Saber Intent.
Or perhaps truly had peerless talent?
In any case, Ji Qing truly didn’t feel that comprehending the Martial Dao Stele was difficult.
He didn’t think that the so-called compatibility was very difficult either.
He could be compatible with every Martial Dao Stele.
Ji Qing surmised that it was mostly due to his Saber Intent.
Saber Intent was, in itself, a manifestation at the spiritual level.
And Martial Dao Steles were made using special stone tablets and special methods, capable of leaving behind Martial Arts Artistic Conception.
And what was Martial Arts Artistic Conception?
It was nothing more than a certain thought, or a certain will.
In short, it was power at the spiritual level.
Ordinary martial artists needed to make their spirits compatible with the Martial Dao Stele to comprehend it.
But Ji Qing didn’t need to.
If his spirit wasn’t compatible?
It didn’t matter, he would forcefully “pry open” the Martial Arts Artistic Conception within the Martial Dao Stele with his Saber Intent.
Therefore, he could “compatibly comprehend” every Martial Dao Stele.
This was not a secret.
But the powerful beings who left behind the Martial Dao Steles probably never expected this.
After so many years, there were basically no Grandmasters who could condense Saber Intent anymore.
Only Ji Qing had condensed Saber Intent.
Saber Momentum was ultimately a notch below.
It couldn’t forcefully “pry open” the Martial Arts Artistic Conception within the Martial Dao Stele.
This was Ji Qing’s opportunity.
After he forcefully “pried open” the third Martial Dao Stele, he carefully comprehended the Martial Arts Artistic Conception within it.
There was actually a big difference between it and his Saber Intent.
But it didn’t matter, he could intercept a portion and integrate it into his Saber Intent.
To compensate for shortcomings and make his Saber Intent even stronger!
His Saber Intent was “Heaven and Earth,” so it should have the effect of encompassing Heaven and Earth.
“Buzz.”
In just a few hours, the third Martial Dao Stele vibrated again.
At this moment, many of the observing Grandmasters’ expressions changed.
“It vibrated, the third Martial Dao Stele actually vibrated again?”
Especially those who had gone through great hardship and ended up not making a single Martial Dao Stele vibrate felt an immense bitterness in their hearts.
How could Ji Qing make three Martial Dao Steles vibrate?
Was his talent truly so exceptional?
“Go inform Elder Crane and Elder Deer. This matter is indeed somewhat unusual.”
Bai Tou Weng spoke.
He summoned a disciple of Ling Xiao Pavilion and gave instructions. The disciple immediately went outside to report to Elder Crane and Elder Deer.
Ji Qing opened his eyes again.
This time, the progress increased by a direct 13%, with more progress added.
The Saber Intent progress had already reached 40%, nearly half completed.
Thus, Ji Qing continued to the fourth Martial Dao Stele.
As for the surrounding situation, Ji Qing paid no attention to it at all.
He didn’t know that because he had consecutively vibrated Martial Dao Steles one after another, everyone else had lost the heart to comprehend.
Their moods were extremely complicated.
If they couldn’t understand the reason behind this, they would likely find it difficult to calm their minds and comprehend again.
But no one went to disturb Ji Qing.
After all, Ji Qing was comprehending the Martial Dao Stele, and it was not advisable to disturb him.
Moreover, Ji Qing was a Great Grandmaster.
The scene of him killing Shadow Ghost with a single saber slash in the Great Hall of Ling Xiao Pavilion was still fresh in their minds.
Who would dare to speak out and disturb him?
…
Elder Crane and the other two were currently dealing with a very thorny matter.
An Immortal Sect!
Ling Xiao Pavilion was almost the overlord of the surrounding hundred miles.
Its influence even extended beyond a hundred miles, affecting hundreds of miles.
And precisely two hundred miles away from Ling Xiao Pavilion, there was an Immortal Sect called “Green Wood Immortal Sect.”
The Green Wood Immortal Sect had emerged only three months ago.
Upon its emergence, it had immediately dominated an area.
Initially, a disciple of the Green Wood Sect came to Ling Xiao Pavilion and even wanted to make a move.
As a result, the three Grandmasters of Ling Xiao Pavilion displayed extremely powerful strength and scared the other party away.
Although no fight occurred, the disciple of the Green Wood Immortal Sect was actually scared off.
Since then, the Green Wood Immortal Sect had not sent anyone again.
The two sides had formed a tacit understanding, not interfering with each other.
However, the good times did not last long.
In just three months, the Green Wood Immortal Sect sent a letter.
This time, the attitude of the Green Wood Immortal Sect in the letter was extremely stern, demanding that Ling Xiao Pavilion surrender to the Green Wood Immortal Sect and obey its commands. From now on, the area within a five-hundred-mile radius would be the territory of the Green Wood Immortal Sect.
If Ling Xiao Pavilion refused, then Immortal beings would be dispatched to raze Ling Xiao Pavilion!
This made Elder Crane, Elder Deer, and Elder Tiger, the three Grandmasters, deeply worried.
In fact, they held this Martial Arts Gathering.
It was not necessarily without the intention of “borrowing strength.”
Using the strength of the numerous Grandmasters to make the Green Wood Immortal Sect retreat.
Elder Crane put down the letter he was holding and said with a somewhat grim expression, “The tree may wish for stillness, but the wind will not cease. I was worried about the Green Wood Immortal Sect before, and now, what I feared has indeed come to pass. According to our investigation, the Green Wood Immortal Sect has Foundation Establishment cultivators. Three months ago, the Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor of the Green Wood Immortal Sect was still in slumber, so the Green Wood Immortal Sect did not dare to act forcefully against our Ling Xiao Pavilion.”
“But now it is different. Knowing that our Ling Xiao Pavilion is holding a Martial Arts Gathering with over twenty Grandmasters gathered, the Green Wood Immortal Sect still dares to threaten us Ling Xiao Pavilion with such force. I fear they have absolute confidence. Most likely, that Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor of the Green Wood Immortal Sect has awakened…”
Upon mentioning Foundation Establishment cultivators, Elder Deer and Elder Tiger both frowned deeply.
Foundation Establishment cultivators were very troublesome!
A single Foundation Establishment cultivator was like a stabilizing force within an Immortal Sect, referred to as a “Great Cultivator,” “Old Ancestor,” and so on.
Their strength was terrifying.
The three Grandmasters of the Great Shang Imperial Family back then were no weaker than the three Grandmasters of Ling Xiao Pavilion, and their foundations were equally deep.
But what was the outcome?
When that Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator appeared, he killed the three Grandmasters with a single sword.
The Great Shang Imperial Court also perished from that point onwards.
At this moment, even with over twenty Grandmasters gathered at Ling Xiao Pavilion, could they truly block a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator?
In the face of absolute strength, numbers were insignificant!
Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators were on par with Dao Foundation Experts.
Perhaps, in another ten years, a Dao Foundation Expert might be born by chance.
But now, and even in the next two to three years, it would be difficult to produce a Dao Foundation Expert.
Without Dao Foundation Experts, how could they contend with Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators?
As for defecting to the Green Wood Immortal Sect.
Elder Crane and the other two had not expected this.
Ling Xiao Pavilion had a legacy spanning a thousand years.
Its legacy had not been broken even during the Dharma-Ending Age.
And now they were going to seek refuge with the Green Wood Immortal Sect?
Once they sought refuge, it would be akin to having their spines broken.
There would no longer be a Ling Xiao Pavilion in the future.
It was equivalent to being annihilated.
At most, they themselves would be able to survive.
But that would be all.
Elder Crane and the other two were not young anymore.
As esteemed Grandmasters, they naturally possessed pride.
Lingering on to survive was worse than fighting to the death!
“Forget it, such a major event, we cannot endanger so many Grandmasters. If all of us Grandmasters were to die, then the Martial Way would be severed…”
Elder Crane sighed.
All the previous scheming and planning held no meaning in the face of that Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator from the Green Wood Immortal Sect.
Just as the three elders of Ling Xiao Pavilion were preparing to return to the Underground Palace, a disciple suddenly rushed in to report.
“Reporting to the three Pavilion Masters, something has happened at the Underground Palace.”
“What happened?”
Elder Crane asked urgently.
“It’s Mister Ji, with the Astonishing Swan Saber. He has comprehended three Martial Dao Stele consecutively and achieved compatibility with all three, causing them to vibrate intensely. Many Grandmasters in the Underground Palace are no longer focused on comprehension and are all paying attention to Mister Ji.”
The Ling Xiao Pavilion disciple explained briefly.
The three Grandmasters exchanged glances.
Their eyes held a hint of confusion, but also a hint of shock.
Compatibility with three Martial Dao Stele?
And the Martial Dao Stele vibrated intensely?
Was this even possible?
The Martial Dao Stele had been in Ling Xiao Pavilion for a thousand years, and the most exceptional Grandmasters of every generation had been trying to comprehend them.
But had anyone ever achieved compatibility with two Martial Dao Stele?
No!
Not a single one!
Let alone achieving compatibility with three.
“Let’s go, we must go and see immediately!”
Elder Crane and the other two immediately got up and hurried towards the Underground Palace.
This was a major event.
If they could understand what was happening.
Then perhaps everyone could comprehend the Martial Dao Stele, and it might even be possible to produce a Dao Foundation Expert in a short period.
Elder Crane and the other two rushed to the Underground Palace.
They found that indeed, many Grandmasters were not comprehending the Martial Dao Stele.
Instead, they were staring intently at Ji Qing.
“Here come Elder Crane, Elder Deer, and Elder Tiger.”
“Elder Crane, has such a situation ever occurred in your Ling Xiao Pavilion?”
“Mister Ji has already achieved compatibility with three Martial Dao Stele…”
The many Grandmasters asked Elder Crane and the others.
Elder Crane and the other two did not rush to answer but looked closely.
Indeed, Ji Qing was sitting before the fourth Martial Dao Stele.
From Ji Qing’s appearance, he was clearly comprehending it.
“Everyone, please quiet down and do not disturb others who are comprehending the Martial Dao Stele. As for Mister Ji’s situation, the three of us need to see it for ourselves.”
Elder Crane said loudly.
The Grandmasters in the Underground Palace nodded and gradually quieted down.
Although Elder Crane and the other two knew that the other Grandmasters would not lie to them.
But without seeing Ji Qing achieve compatibility with the Martial Dao Stele with their own eyes, they felt a sense of absurdity.
Therefore, the three of them continued to wait quietly.
One hour, two hours, three hours, four hours…
This time, the wait was a little longer.
For the first three Martial Dao Stele, Ji Qing had only taken two to three hours.
Yet, for the fourth Martial Dao Stele, Ji Qing had not achieved compatibility even after four hours.
Had something gone wrong?
Just as everyone was staring at Ji Qing, suddenly, Grandmaster Wei Ru Feng, who was before the twenty-third Martial Dao Stele, abruptly opened his eyes.
“Shua.”
A divine light flashed in Wei Ru Feng’s eyes.
“Finally, I have thoroughly comprehended it. To forge a Dao Foundation, one needs to sense the Martial Dao Gate…”
Wei Ru Feng’s eyes shone with divine light.
He felt filled with fighting spirit.
At the same time, a powerful aura emanated from Wei Ru Feng.
The Grandmasters present naturally knew what this was.
It was “Momentum,” the Martial Dao Momentum!
For example, Saber Momentum, Sword Momentum, Fist Momentum, and so on.
Even as a Grandmaster, Wei Ru Feng had not comprehended momentum before.
It was only now, after he had thoroughly comprehended the twenty-third Martial Dao Stele.
That he naturally comprehended “Momentum.”
This was the effect of the Martial Dao Stele.
Furthermore, Wei Ru Feng also understood the path to the Dao Foundation beyond Grandmaster!
“Boom.”
A terrifying momentum erupted from Wei Ru Feng.
The entire Underground Palace was filled with Wei Ru Feng’s momentum.
“Grandmaster Wei, please retract your momentum so as not to disturb others comprehending the Martial Dao Stele.”
Suddenly, Elder Crane’s voice sounded.
Wei Ru Feng naturally knew Elder Crane.
He immediately retracted his momentum, scanned his surroundings, and saw many Grandmasters not comprehending the Martial Dao Stele. A smile played on his lips.
“Eh?”
“So many Grandmasters are here to congratulate me?”
“What merit do I, Wei, possess? I have only comprehended one Martial Dao Stele, even though it is the twenty-third, it is still a long way from forging a Dao Foundation.”
Wei Ru Feng said “humbly.”
Although his tone was “humble,” Wei Ru Feng knew that the twenty-third Martial Dao Stele he comprehended was already the most powerful one comprehended by any Grandmaster present.
No one could be stronger than him!
In a sense, he represented the martial artist with the highest potential in the Jianghu today.
He now understood the path to the Dao Foundation beyond Grandmaster.
Once he achieved the Dao Foundation in the future, he would undoubtedly be the foremost person in the Jianghu!
At this moment, Wei Ru Feng had never been so confident.
“Hmm?”
“Why is no one speaking?”
Wei Ru Feng felt somewhat strange.
He had now thoroughly comprehended the twenty-third Martial Dao Stele.
His potential and talent were so high that they surpassed all other Grandmasters.
It would not be an exaggeration to say he was the future of the Jianghu.
Yet, why was it so quiet now?
Wei Ru Feng was well aware of the common sense of the Jianghu.
“Many people offer praise.”
Offering congratulations and flattery was a normal occurrence.
But now, not a single word was spoken.
Moreover, Wei Ru Feng noticed that everyone’s gaze was not on him.
So, Wei Ru Feng followed the direction of their gazes.
He saw a familiar figure.
Ji Qing!
The only Great Grandmaster in the entire Jianghu!
And the youngest Great Grandmaster!
Originally, Elder Crane and the others had placed great hope in him, but Ji Qing had only comprehended the first Martial Dao Stele.
Although he had achieved compatibility with the first Martial Dao Stele, it was merely the first one.
A mere ten-foot-tall Martial Dao Stele, representing the peak of potential.
How could it compare to the twenty-third Martial Dao Stele he had comprehended?
“Wait, why is Ji Qing going to comprehend the fourth Martial Dao Stele?”
Wei Ru Feng thought of a possibility.
Previously, Ji Qing had achieved compatibility with the first Martial Dao Stele and then proceeded to comprehend the second, which now seemed destined to fail.
Going to comprehend the fourth Martial Dao Stele now would also result in failure.
But why were Elder Crane and the others paying so much attention to Ji Qing?
Even if Ji Qing was the only Great Grandmaster in the Jianghu, with his potential exhausted, what was there to pay attention to?
“Shua.”
The next moment, Ji Qing opened his eyes.
Simultaneously, the fourth Martial Dao Stele began to vibrate intensely.
Instantly, Wei Ru Feng’s eyes widened.
His mind went blank.
