Chapter 160 - Reverse Opening
The old geezer smirked and said proudly, “Unexpected right? I didn’t foresee it either. A watched flower never blooms, but an untended willow grows. I was shocked too when I first received the words regarding Long Yue’s battle achievements. We of the Swords Gate are meant to bloom. As long as we can pass through the disastrous calamity after my death, the Swords Gate will definitely be able to lead the humans out of the Great Wilderness!”
Feng Shouzhu nodded emphatically, the more he looked at Zhong Yue, the more gratified he felt. Moments later, he recollected his thoughts and asked, “If big brother goes away, it wouldn’t be easy to survive this upcoming calamity. If only big brother can live on for a few more years, the Swords Gate would not end up in the quandary it faces now.”
The old geezer also sighed and his wizened countenance dimmed. In actuality, the fact that he was even able to persist until now had already greatly surprised his opponents.
“This time, Xiao Chuqing’s death has caused too many troubles.”
Feng Shouzhu quickly changed the topic and whined, “Until now, I still wasn’t able to identify the person who killed that Xiao Mang Celestial Race young lady. This murderer has caused such a big problem, could it be the monster race…?”
Zhong Yue coughed and said honestly, “Elder Feng, it’s me.”
Feng Shouzhu was dumbfounded, he exclaimed out involuntarily, “Why did you kill her?”
Just when Zhong Yue was about to explain, the old geezer said nonchalantly, “He killed her because Xiao Chuqing posed a threat to the exposure of his identity as she was here to investigate the savior of Jun Sixie. It’s just a small matter, nothing to investigate about.”
Zhong Yue nodded in agreement, old geezer was partially right. In fact, Xiao Chuqing was here to investigate who ascended to the moon; while the one who ascended the moon and the savior of Jun Sixie were both Zhong Yue, as the culprit of both of these events, he would invariably attract Xiao Chuqing’s killing intent.
However, the incident regarding his arrival at the moon was obscure and concealed, although Gu Hongzi knew that there was an array formation beneath Gu Xia City, he was unclear of its function. Hence, that was why the old geezer surmised that Zhong Yue had only killed Xiao Chuqing due to her discovering his identity.
Teleporting to the moon was a big deal, it directly related to Xin Huo. As the saying goes, the less trouble, the better; hence, Zhong Yue elected to withhold some information.
“Zuo Xiangsheng’s and Tian Yanzhong’s accumulations at the level of Atman Body are sufficient for them to breakthrough to Inner Core. I’ve instructed Zuo Xiangsheng to suppress his cultivation level and temporarily stay in the level of Atman Body, so our victory is all but ensured for the Atman Body level.”
Feng Shouzhu then pondered deeply, “Tian Yanzhong has been in the Inner Core level for quite some time already, and he is now in closed-door training. It’s just that he is still relatively new to the level of Inner Core; it’s still very uncertain whether or not he can win against the Inner Core Qi Practitioners of the Xiao Mang Celestial Race. As for the level of Heavenly Dharma, we’ll let Fang Jiange take charge of it. With his prowess, the Heavenly Dharma level will also not be a problem. In addition to this Zhong Shan Clan member, the Rebirth level is also a sure win. Now, we’re only left with the level of Awakening and Spirit Nurturing, the chances of our victory in these two levels are very dubious. In addition the level of Inner Core, that makes three cultivation realms where we could lose the battles. Even with the most optimal outcome, it would still be a draw!”
Old geezer shook his head and said, “The battle duels have only five rounds, a draw can only occur with an even number of battles. Although both sides have come to an agreement on the number of rounds, there is still contention on which cultivation realms would be included in the battle rounds. Fang Jiange’s reputation and strength is well known in the outside world, and so the elder high priest would never abide by his participation in the duel. These few days, I’ve instructed Shui Zian to conduct a few rounds of discussions with the Xiao Mang Celestial temple’s elder high priest. Shui Zian insists on the duels to range from the Rebirth to Heavenly Dharma levels while the high priest is adamant about it being from the Spirit Nurturing to Inner Core level. They’ve been quarreling for a few days because of this. If the level of Heavenly Dharma is retained while the Spirit Nurturing round level is taken away, then our victory would be certain, but if it the negotiations turn out in the high priest’s favor, then our only outcome would be defeat! But with Long Yue here, our odds of winning will be slighter larger!”
Feng Shouzhu furrowed his brows and said, “Shui Zian has a vast circle of acquaintances….”
“It’s useless, the other celestial races would also like to see the Great Wilderness torn apart.”
Old geezer sighed and said, “He has already tried his best in inviting over so many celestial race high priests over. The Xiao Mang Celestial Race will definitely not allow the Heavenly Dharma level to be in the duels, we need to prepare ourselves for the worst….”
“Prepare for the worst?” Feng Shouzhu locked his brows even further at this.
Old geezer turned and cast his gaze at Zhong Yue, “The one that will duel in the level of Rebirth will be Qiu Jin’er of the Qiu Tan Clan. While Zhong Yue, you’ll take part in the Awakening battle. This ... is the preparation for the worst scenario!”
“Me against the Awakening expert?” Zhong Yue was shocked in his heart.
Feng Shouzhu exclaimed involuntarily, “We can’t! Big brother, if we do this, then only Zuo Xiangsheng would have a chance of winning. Of the five rounds, the four would be lost!”
Old geezer sighed and said, “This is a helpless move, but it is what we will do. There isn’t anyone competent enough for the Spirit Nurturing battle, so why don’t we just give it up. Whereas Qiu Jin’er of the Qiu Tan Clan is the holder of the Innate Wood Spirit Body, she just might have a chance to win….”
“Her body can’t do it!”
Feng Shouzhu refuted directly, “She has just cultivated the【Great Boundless Sword Qi】, the excess Wood Qi in her body has not been completely refined. She has been ill for so long that her constitution has degraded to the point of needing the aid of a wheelchair to battle.!”
“The one that duels with Xiao Mang Celestial Race Rebirth Qi Practitioner can only be her!”
Old geezer replied solemnly, “Zian said: Shui Qingyan of the Shui Tu Clan cannot be trusted, she is very probable to be the Tian Myriad Mother, so she will not represent Swords Gate in the battle. Hence, the only one that can do is Qiu Jin’er of the Qiu Tan Clan! I will teach her the complete【Great Boundless Sword Qi】, the only thing that I’m concerned of, is her lack of experience in actual combat.”
“Then how about the Awakening level?”
Feng Shouzhu then turned his sights towards at Zhong Yue and heaved a deep breath of air before saying, “Even if he has break through to the level of Awakening and had opened the Wu Xing Wheel, he would still be no match for the Xiao Mang Celestial Race! The Awakening level consists of five realms in total — Wu Xing, Wan Xiang, Shen Cai, Yin Yang and Dao Yi. And with the opening of each additional realm, the cultivator would get stronger by an amount equal to the power of a Wu Xing Wheel expert! The Xiao Mang Celestial Race will definitely send out an expert cultivator who has already opened all five realms. In addition to their origins as the celestial race, they would be immensely strong! Most importantly, Zhong Yue is still at the level of Rebirth, it’d be impossible for him to break through to the level of Awakening within such a short time!”
Zhong Yue thought and said, “My psyche ocean is on the verge of becoming a lightning pool, if the battle takes place after a month’s time, I can advance into the level of Awakening.”
However, Feng Shouzhu still refused him, “That would still be far from enough, a celestial expert who has opened all five realms would be at least four times stronger than you!”
“That is, if he cultivates under normal circumstances.”
Old geezer’s eyes flashed in rays, he smiled and said, “If cultivating under normal circumstances following the usual steps, then I admit that it would be nearly impossible for Zhong Yue to open up all five realms in such a short period of time. But there is still one possibility, and that is to open up the final realm first — the Dao Yi Realm, to acquire the power to unite all five realms together!”
“Opening the Dao Yi Realm first?”
Feng Shouzhu shouted in shock, “How is that possible?”
There were five realms of the Awakening level, five that exists in the Yuan Shen astral body. The cultivators would work to open them progressively, one after another. First, the Wu Xing Realm to acquire the Wu Xing Wheel, then the Wan Xiang Wheel of the Wan Xiang Realm, followed by the Shen Cai Wheel from the Shen Cai Realm, after which is the Yan Yang Wheel, and finally the last realm to open the Dao Yi Wheel.
The Dao Yi Wheel amalgamated the other four wheels to form a harmonic unity. But opening the Dao Yi Wheel first before the other wheels was something that Feng Shouzhu, the magnate cultivator, had never even entertained to fathom!
“This isn’t impossible, there are people that had achieved it in the in the history. Furthermore, opening the Dao Yi wheel first would increase the cultivation speed to grant the cultivator with stronger prowess!”
Old geezer said solemnly, “It’s just that the success rate isn’t that high, if you fail to open the Dao Yi Realm, then your cultivation base would be maimed and you would remain a cripple for the rest of your life. But, if you succeed, then your achievements will be higher, and you would be stronger those who opened the realms progressively! Zhong Shan Clan member, what is your choice?”
He stared at Zhong Yue and said, “After all, the success rate is too low, if you decline to walk on the reverse-opening pathway, then you will replace Qiu Jin’er and battle in the level of Rebirth.”
Zhong Yue pondered in earnest, he then raised his head and said, “After all, I’m the one who killed Xiao Chuqing, I’m the cause of all these troubles. Hence, I’ll not let Swords Gate take all of the responsibility that I should’ve bore myself. I’ll do it!”
“Good!”
Old geezer slowly shut his eyes and said, “You are all dismissed, we shall wait for the results of the negotiation between Shui Zian and the celestial race high priest. Who knows, Zian might be able to persuade the high priest to allow Fang Jiange to participate in the battles. If that’s the case, then you would not need to risk your life anymore. However, you should prepare yourself for the worst, cultivate your Yuan Shen to the extremity and I will teach you the ways to reverse open the Dao Yi Realm to acquire the Dao Yi Wheel! Shouzhu, you should also go back and make preparations, you will be their guardian on the trip to Xiao Mang Celestial Race. Elder Pu, I need you to summon Qiu Jin’er of Qiu Tan Clan to me.”
Zhong Yue bowed, and left the golden summit together with Feng Shouzhu.
Feng Shouzhu looked at him, sighed and said, “Opening the Dao Yi Wheel in reverse, acquiring the power to unite all five wheels into one from the outset ... the success rate is too low. If your fail, your life will be ruined. You have a bright future ahead, why …?”
Zhong Yue bowed and said, “The mess that I’ve made, I shall clean on my own. I am the cause of all this, and if I’m unwilling to stand out and to take the slightest risk, then I’m not worthy of being a disciple at all. Oh yes, Elder Feng, how do you view Elder Shui Zian?”
“An all-rounder, a smooth and slick man with a vast circle of acquaintances, a giant among men, and an elder gifted with incredible talents.”
Feng Shouzhu said, “If it wasn’t for big brother, he would definitely be the headmaster of Swords Gate! What’s with the sudden question?”
Zhong Yue hesitated for a second, then he said, “Headmaster had just said, Shui Qingyan might be Tian Myriad Mother, while Shui Qingyan is from the Shui Tu Clan, and it was after she was summoned by the Shui Tu Clan elders before she….”
“Shui Zian would never betray Swords Gate!”
Feng Shouzhu strode forwards and refuted directly, “Although he has his own little thoughts, in front of the serious matters, his loyalty to the Swords Gate is unwavering! You can doubt anyone else, but not him!”
Zhong Yue frowned as he walked down from the golden summit and returned back to the inner hall.
Why do headmaster and Elder Feng place so much trust in Elder Shui Zian. They never had a single moment of doubt about him at all … forget about it, I’d better hurry up with my cultivation to condense my psyche ocean into a lightning pool as soon as possible!
Zhong Yue could felt the immense sense of urgency, advance into the Awakening level and battle with a celestial Awakening expert who has opened all five realms. It would definitely be a hard and arduous duel, he could not afford to waste a single second for rest.
He started off with the soul refining, eventually throwing himself into the lightning zone and taking the blows of the lightning strikes while the sun and moon emerged on his back. All meanwhile visualizing the Fire Order Palace and Sui Sovereign, cultivating like a madman as if his life depended on it!
When the sun sets, and the moon rose, Zhong Yue lifted his head and gazed at its alabaster luminescence. He then alighted down from the lightning zone and walked towards ‘Shui Qingyan’’s cave dwelling.
She said she wanted to talk with me, what could she be asking for?