Chapter 154: Green Wood Divine Tree Enters The Body, Unexpected Joy!
“Uh…”
Moon Spirit Fairy and Fairy Zi He looked at the secret realm entrance before them, dumbstruck.
What more could they say?
Were they supposed to say they were weak?
Before, Water Moon Sect had tried every possible method, attempting all sorts of inconceivable techniques.
And the result?
The secret realm entrance remained completely unmoved.
Now, after finally managing to invite Ji Qing to take action, they had thought that if Ji Qing could make even a single crack appear in the secret realm entrance, it would be a great success.
But in the end, the secret realm entrance was directly shattered?
This was simply unbelievable!
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ji, for actually helping us open the secret realm entrance. Fellow Daoist Ji is now a friend of our Water Moon Sect. If you have any needs in the future, Fellow Daoist Ji, feel free to mention them, and Water Moon Sect will do everything in its power!”
Fairy Zi He immediately promised.
Moon Spirit Fairy hurriedly nodded as well.
The fact that Ji Qing could break the secret realm entrance so easily could only mean one thing.
Ji Qing’s saber intent far exceeded their imaginations.
A typical major accomplishment saber intent definitely wouldn’t have this kind of might.
They weren’t without experience of Dao Foundation experts with major accomplishment saber intent from a millennium ago.
But saber intent also had strengths and weaknesses.
And the differences could even be enormous.
Ji Qing’s saber intent would probably have been top-tier even a millennium ago!
“Good, since the secret realm is now open, Ji Mou will take his leave!”
Ji Qing didn’t even inquire about what was inside the secret realm.
After all, this was Water Moon Sect’s secret realm.
Moreover, he was a martial artist, so even if there were treasures inside the secret realm, they would likely be of little use to him.
Thus, Ji Qing bid farewell and directly left Water Moon Sect.
Watching Ji Qing’s departing figure, Fairy Zi He breathed a sigh of relief.
“This Ji Qing is not ordinary at all. With such terrifying saber intent, his future prospects are unimaginable. In fact, I even think he has a good chance of going further, breaking through the limitations, and achieving the Heavenly Human Realm!”
Fairy Zi He said in a deep voice.
“Heavenly Human…”
Moon Spirit Fairy fell silent as well.
If he truly became a Heavenly Human, even a millennium ago he could have dominated freely.
“A millennium ago, because of the Era of Spiritual Depletion, many Golden Core True Persons brought some Foundation Establishment cultivators across the vast Boundless Sea Region, leaving only us and a portion of Foundation Establishment cultivators who chose to seal ourselves and sleep for a millennium, quietly awaiting the Spiritual Energy Revival.”
“Our Boundless Sea Region is barren; cultivating to Golden Core was already the limit. If this Ji Qing can truly cultivate to Heavenly Human, it might just be an opportunity for our Water Moon Sect…”
Moon Spirit Fairy mused thoughtfully.
They had already given Ji Qing the Heavenly Human Realm saber, establishing a karmic tie of goodwill.
However, the top priority now was the secret realm.
Thus, the two immediately flew into the secret realm.
……
Ji Qing returned to the Yunmeng River Mansion.
The Yunmeng Goddess was still helping him re-refine the Green Wood Divine Tree.
Ji Qing didn’t disturb the Yunmeng Goddess and instead directly took out that Heavenly Human Realm saber.
The materials of this saber were quite ordinary.
It was even inferior to the Demon Saber.
But Ji Qing held the Demon Saber and brought it close to the long sword.
“Buzz.”
As a result, the Demon Saber actually began vibrating violently.
Even though the Demon Saber’s demon spirit had already been replaced by Ji Qing, the Demon Saber still had certain “instincts.”
After all, the Demon Saber was no ordinary weapon, but a divine weapon.
Divine weapons have spirits!
Therefore, when the Demon Saber approached the long sword, it actually trembled.
Ji Qing could even sense the Demon Saber “fearing” it.
There was an emotion of terror.
This surprised Ji Qing greatly.
He had possessed the Demon Saber for so long, and it was extremely special, with endless malevolent energy and resentful energy— the denser the malevolent energy, the stronger the Demon Saber became.
Last time, the Demon Saber had even “advanced.”
Yet now, facing this long sword that appeared to be made of ordinary materials, it was afraid?
The reason the Demon Saber was afraid was likely only one thing.
Heavenly Human Artistic Conception!
This long sword contained Heavenly Human Artistic Conception.
Even if it was just a wisp or a portion of Heavenly Human Artistic Conception, it filled the Demon Saber with utter terror.
“Heavenly Human…”
Ji Qing had some understanding from the ancient texts in Ling Xiao Pavilion.
Heavenly Humans towered above all martial artists.
A single phrase could sum up the grandeur of Heavenly Humans.
Heavenly Humans have a lifespan of a thousand years!
That was a Heavenly Human!
Dao Foundation only had a mere lifespan of one hundred fifty years.
But Heavenly Humans?
A lifespan of up to a thousand years!
In the mortal world, a millennium brought about earth-shaking changes.
They were almost no different from immortals.
Although Ji Qing practiced the saber, and this was a long sword.
But so what?
What Ji Qing cared about was the Heavenly Human Artistic Conception within the long sword.
He might not cultivate someone else’s artistic conception.
But he could reference and draw from it.
At the very least, it could temper his saber intent.
Ji Qing’s hand grasped the long sword.
He could feel the terrifying Heavenly Human Artistic Conception within the long sword.
But he still tried to draw the long sword.
“Clang.”
The long sword was drawn out a small section.
Immediately, a terrifying Heavenly Human Artistic Conception burst forth fiercely.
It directly assaulted Ji Qing.
In that moment, Ji Qing felt as if his entire body was pierced by countless terrifying swords.
Even his thoughts seemed to stop.
“Pa.”
Ji Qing immediately pushed the long sword back in with force.
With the long sword sheathed, that terrifying artistic conception vanished.
“Huff…”
Ji Qing gasped for breath heavily.
“Too terrifying. Is this the Heavenly Human Artistic Conception? Just a trace of artistic conception, a wisp of aura, and a Dao Foundation martial artist like me can’t even withstand it?”
“If facing a true Heavenly Human…”
Only now did Ji Qing realize how terrifying the Heavenly Human Realm truly was.
How vast the gap was between it and Dao Foundation.
Don’t think it’s just one realm.
In truth, it was a gulf between heaven and earth!
There was an insurmountable chasm between the two.
Just like between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core.
Now with immortal sects emerging, Foundation Establishment great cultivators weren’t everywhere, but there were definitely quite a few.
But Golden Core?
Not a single one!
Dozens or even hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators together still wouldn’t match a single Golden Core.
Similarly, the aura of the Heavenly Human Realm was already so terrifying.
Hundreds of Dao Foundation cultivators together probably wouldn’t even have the qualification to act before a Heavenly Human Realm…
Ji Qing now also understood why Water Moon Sect had given him this long sword.
Once this long sword was drawn, it was an indiscriminate attack.
Who could withstand it?
Even Ji Qing’s saber intent couldn’t endure it, let alone those Foundation Establishment cultivators?
If there were Golden Core cultivators, it might have some use.
But Water Moon Sect only had Foundation Establishment cultivators.
This Heavenly Human Realm saber was somewhat redundant.
It was better off given to Ji Qing.
They could get Ji Qing to act on their behalf and also form a bond of goodwill with him.
However, Ji Qing was delighted.
Just now, when he drew out a small section of the long sword and released a trace of Heavenly Human Artistic Conception aura.
His saber intent had actually loosened somewhat.
If this continued, there was no worry that his saber intent wouldn’t improve.
In fact, Ji Qing’s saber intent even had hope of reaching perfection!
However, something strange came to mind: the three Heavenly Human Realm Martial Dao Steles left behind in Ling Xiao Pavilion.
Why was it that when Ji Qing’s saber intent merged with the martial arts artistic conception within each Heavenly Human Realm Martial Dao Stele, it only increased saber intent progress by 20% each?
“No, the martial arts artistic conception in the Heavenly Human Realm Martial Dao Steles isn’t true Heavenly Human; it’s completely different from the Heavenly Human Artistic Conception in the long sword.”
“Perhaps the martial arts artistic conception in those three Heavenly Human Realm Martial Dao Steles is actually only at the Dao Foundation level…”
Ji Qing mused thoughtfully.
For a Heavenly Human to leave behind Dao Foundation level artistic conception was definitely not a difficult task.
As for why not directly leave Heavenly Human Artistic Conception.
Perhaps the Heavenly Humans had their considerations.
Maybe they feared the Heavenly Human Artistic Conception was too terrifying, and once someone tried to comprehend it, their consciousness might be “assimilated” or “influenced” by the Heavenly Human Artistic Conception.
Based on what Ji Qing had just experienced with the Heavenly Human Artistic Conception in this long sword.
Ji Qing felt it was entirely possible.
However, there was only a trace of Heavenly Human Artistic Conception in the long sword.
And he only drew out a tiny bit of the long sword.
Using it just to temper his own saber intent should be fine.
Thus, Ji Qing drew out a small section of the long sword again.
Using the trace of Heavenly Human Artistic Conception in the long sword to temper his own saber intent.
As time passed, Ji Qing’s saber intent indeed began to improve again.
Time flew by, and three months passed.
On this day, Ji Qing suddenly sensed a dense aura of vitality.
Immediately after, a Towering Giant Tree appeared before Ji Qing.
Ji Qing’s heart stirred, and he immediately had a guess.
“Goddess, has the Green Wood Divine Tree been successfully re-refined?”
Ji Qing asked.
Sure enough, the figure of the Yunmeng Goddess emerged from the void.
She smiled faintly and said, “Indeed, the Green Wood Divine Tree has been successfully re-refined, and there’s even an unexpected gain.”
“What unexpected gain?”
“Fellow Daoist Ji will know once he refines this Green Wood Divine Tree into his body.”
Ji Qing mused thoughtfully.
Then, he flicked his finger.
“Whoosh.”
A drop of blood flew toward the Green Wood Divine Tree.
Blood recognition of master.
If it were Immortal Dao cultivators, they would probably be astonished; this was an extremely ancient method of refinement.
Immortal Dao magic tools and magic treasures had long abandoned such ancient refinement methods.
But martial artists were different.
Martial artists had no magic power or spiritual sense.
Therefore, treasures that martial artists could use were generally all ones that could be refined via blood recognition.
As Ji Qing’s blood dropped into the Green Wood Divine Tree, Ji Qing immediately felt a blood-flesh connected sensation.
He didn’t hesitate at all.
“Collect.”
The Green Wood Divine Tree was taken into Ji Qing’s body.
Instantly, a dense vitality permeated Ji Qing’s body.
As long as Ji Qing wasn’t completely annihilated in one go.
As long as there was even a sliver of vitality left.
The Green Wood Divine Tree could help Ji Qing recover.
Though it couldn’t yet reach the level of rebirth from a drop of blood.
But this dense vitality brought Ji Qing’s recovery ability to an extremely terrifying state.
The key was this Green Wood Divine Tree.
Ji Qing finally understood what the goddess meant by the unexpected joy.
The Green Wood Divine Tree was actually still in a “seedling” state.
In other words, the Green Wood Divine Tree could continue to “grow.”
Back then, Green Wood Immortal Sect had refined it into a magic tool when it was still a seedling.
Which instead limited the Green Wood Divine Tree’s growth.
But now, it was fine.
The Green Wood Divine Tree was no longer a magic tool. Ji Qing didn’t need its defensive capabilities but instead blood-refined the Green Wood Divine Tree, merging with it as one.
This didn’t hinder the Green Wood Divine Tree’s growth.
Of course, the Green Wood Divine Tree required vast amounts of heaven and earth spiritual energy.
Even to grow just a little, it would take a very long time.
Perhaps ten years.
Perhaps a century.
Or even a millennium?
They might not live to see the Green Wood Divine Tree fully mature.
But this meant the Green Wood Divine Tree had a very high potential ceiling.
“Shua.”
Ji Qing opened his eyes.
“Excellent, this is indeed an unexpected joy… I never imagined the Green Wood Divine Tree was still just a seedling? This time, I must thank the goddess. I’m very satisfied with your re-refining of the Green Wood Divine Tree!”
“As long as Fellow Daoist Ji is satisfied. Besides, this Green Wood Divine Tree was originally Fellow Daoist’s opportunity.”
“Right, Water Moon Sect…”
Ji Qing smiled and said, “Ji Mou visited Water Moon Sect and helped them open the secret realm, and in return got a Heavenly Human Realm saber. As for Water Moon Sect’s matter with the jade goddess, Water Moon Sect has agreed that the area around Yunmeng River all belongs to the goddess, and Water Moon Sect will no longer interfere.”
“That’s great…”
The Yunmeng Goddess was very pleased.
After all, Water Moon Sect was her “neighbor.”
And “neighbors” couldn’t be moved away. If this matter could be handled properly, with each minding their own business, that would be the best resolution.
In the future, she wouldn’t have to worry about conflicts with Water Moon Sect.
“With this matter settled, Ji Mou will return to Heavenly Martial Sacred Land. If the goddess has any matters, she can send a communication talisman to Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, and Ji Mou will naturally know.”
Ji Qing cupped his hands toward the goddess in farewell.
“Whoosh.”
Ji Qing then left the Water Mansion and headed back to Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.
Upon returning to Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, Ji Qing noticed there were many more imprisoned demons.
Ever since Ji Qing had razed Green Wood Immortal Sect, nearly emptying it and gathering a large number of its cultivators.
With the help of these cultivators, Heavenly Martial Sacred Land not only gained a Mountain Protecting Formation but also set up a “demon prison.”
All the demons that the sect had captured alive were imprisoned there.
Upon returning to Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, Ji Qing first killed those demons and harvested origin points.
Soon, Ji Qing’s origin points increased by eight hundred.
The total exceeded 1300 points.
With over a thousand origin points, he could improve the Heavenly Dragon Fundamental Seal.
Thus, Ji Qing didn’t hold back and immediately improved it.
“Consume one thousand origin points to improve Heavenly Dragon Fundamental Seal!”
With the consumption of one thousand origin points, Ji Qing’s Heavenly Dragon Fundamental Seal advanced to minor accomplishment.
Ji Qing felt his own foundation and accumulation growing ever deeper.
Even just his physical body power was growing stronger.
However, it still hadn’t undergone a qualitative transformation.
Ji Qing took out the Heavenly Human Realm saber again.
And began tempering his saber intent.
Of course, Ji Qing wouldn’t forget to deduce “Saber Two.”
It was just that this required a very long time.
Ji Qing had already ordered people to collect martial arts from across the world, and progress was smooth; the Martial Arts Library now had numerous martial arts.
Including saber techniques.
If ordinary saber techniques didn’t work, then he would cultivate stronger saber techniques.
In short, Ji Qing’s method for deducing “Saber Two” was the most brute-force but also most effective one: “quantity over quality.”
The more saber techniques he cultivated, the more his saber technique foundation would grow, and when the opportunity arrived, he could naturally deduce “Saber Two.”
In Ji Qing’s plan, “Saber Two” was at the Dao Foundation level.
Naturally, it couldn’t be deduced in a short time.
Time flew by, and another three months passed.
Ji Qing awakened from seclusion.
“Saber Intent: Major Accomplishment（70%）”
Ji Qing’s saber intent had only improved by 10%; the higher it went, the harder it became.
However, any improvement was good.
This was all thanks to that Heavenly Human Realm saber.
Ji Qing emerged from seclusion.
He wasn’t in closed death seclusion.
He still needed to check on Heavenly Martial Sacred Land’s situation from time to time.
Just after emerging, Elder Crane came to him.
“Supreme Elder, a few days ago Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace sent an invitation letter, inviting you to gather at Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace!”
“Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace?”
Ji Qing carefully examined the invitation letter.
The date was July 11th, still a few days away.
The timing worked.
But why was Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace inviting him?
Ji Qing knew of Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.
It was one of the four top immortal sects currently in the world.
Said to possess a Golden Core orthodox lineage, with unfathomable foundation.
Heavenly Martial Sacred Land and Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace were far apart, with no interactions.
“Supreme Elder, Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace’s invitation letters went not only to you but to many Foundation Establishment cultivators from other immortal sects as well. According to Listen to the Wind Tower’s intelligence, basically all present-world immortal sects with Foundation Establishment great cultivators received invitations from Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.”
Ji Qing mused thoughtfully.
All Foundation Establishment cultivators had invitation letters?
Clearly, he, as a “Dao Foundation” martial artist, was equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so he received one too.
Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace must have some important matter, otherwise they wouldn’t invite so many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
“Good, then I will go to Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.”
“Right, about the ‘Skin-changing Demon,’ does Listen to the Wind Tower have any news?”
Ji Qing asked.
He hadn’t forgotten about the Skin-changing Demon.
After all, to Ji Qing, the Skin-changing Demon bore a blood feud.
Listen to the Wind Tower was now under Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, and with its support, Listen to the Wind Tower had regained its former glory, with branches everywhere—even immortal sect intelligence could be gathered.
Immortal sects now didn’t dare to trouble Listen to the Wind Tower, lest they make an enemy of Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.
Heavenly Martial Sacred Land was no longer weak.
Excluding Ji Qing, there were fully fifty grandmasters.
And most were great grandmasters.
After all, with spirit stones now available, forging innate bodies for these great grandmasters wasn’t too difficult.
Moreover, these grandmasters were from the Dharma-Ending Age and had languished for so long due to lack of spiritual energy.
Their realms were already very high.
Now with spiritual energy, they naturally advanced by leaps and bounds.
If counting just the number of great grandmasters—combat power comparable to Qi Cultivation Peak—there were dozens.
This level of combat power already surpassed many Golden Core orthodox lineages.
It was just that there was only one “Dao Foundation,” Ji Qing.
Otherwise, Heavenly Martial Sacred Land now wouldn’t be inferior to any Golden Core orthodox lineage.
“Supreme Elder, strangely enough, the Skin-changing Demon appeared sporadically over the past millennium, but now there’s no trace at all—not even a scrap of news. It’s as if it vanished into thin air…”
Elder Crane naturally knew of the blood feud between Ji Qing and the Skin-changing Demon; he had always paid close attention to news of the Skin-changing Demon.
But there was simply no trace of it.
“Forget it, keep paying attention to Skin-changing Demon news.”
Ji Qing waved his hand, and Elder Crane respectfully withdrew.
For the Skin-changing Demon matter, Ji Qing had no particularly good methods. After all, with the Skin-changing Demon not showing itself, what could he do?
A few days later, Ji Qing set off.
Answering Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace’s invitation, he headed to Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.
Soon, Ji Qing arrived before the gates of Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.
Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace was situated in a snowy domain, bitterly cold, yet brimming with spiritual energy and extraordinarily grand.
Outside Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace, many cultivators were already waiting to receive guests.
“Whoosh.”
Ji Qing landed before these cultivators.
“May I ask if this senior has an invitation letter?”
The Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace cultivator asked respectfully.
Ji Qing took out the invitation letter.
The other party opened it and looked, then their heart jolted, and they respectfully announced, “Heavenly Martial Sacred Land Supreme Elder, Elder Ji Qing has arrived!”
“Shua.”
One by one, gazes fell on Ji Qing.
After all, Ji Qing was a prominent figure in the world.
Many had heard of him but never seen him.
Now they finally had.
“Hm?”
Suddenly, Ji Qing frowned.
He noticed among this group of cultivators a Fat Cultivator.
The others’ eyes held surprise, respect, fear.
Only this Fat Cultivator’s gaze was a bit off.
It seemed somewhat… resentful!
Yes, resentful.
But Ji Qing had no memory of this Fat Cultivator.
He absolutely hadn’t met him before.
So where did the “resentment” in his gaze come from?
Ji Qing didn’t care who the other was or what status he held.
He was just a mere Qi Refining Cultivator.
Ji Qing immediately reached out with a great grasp.
Innate Qi Great Capture Hand instantly turned into a massive palm, locking down the distant Fat Cultivator and directly dragging him before Ji Qing.
“Do you know Ji Mou?”
Ji Qing asked coldly.
