BOOM!!
The next moment, a terrifying aura erupted from Yi Beidou. The pure killing intent made everyone present feel as if the very air had frozen.
Some of the weaker disciples' legs trembled, cold sweat streaming down their backs. Li Qingdai's strength was considered lower-tier among the core disciples. She felt her body sway, a chill running down her spine, and fought the urge to turn and run.
She knew that high-level martial artists all had powerful auras, but a presence this strong... it could hardly be called human anymore.
'This is the power of Body Ascension! With my Martial Arts Cultivation, I probably couldn't even withstand a single glance from him!'
The next moment, however, this pure killing intent suddenly transformed. It became vibrant with life, like a towering, ancient tree.
Then, this towering tree began to reverse its growth, shrinking, returning to the earth, and finally becoming a single seed.
The ordinary disciples of the Cyan Wood Heart Intent Sect did not understand the meaning behind this, but the expressions of Mu Huaidong, Wei Ziren, and the other Martial Arts experts lit up.
They understood. This was the Seed of Rebirth of their Cyan Wood Heart Intent. That patch of earth represented the human Dantian.
Suddenly, they felt an emotional fluctuation.
It was a powerful emotion—a mixture of fearlessness, sacrifice, righteousness, and courage, like the Buddha carving off His own flesh to feed an eagle or offering His body to a tiger.
This emotion transformed into a raging fire that scorched the "Dantian" representing the earth. The soil was charred black, as if on the verge of complete death. But just then, the Seed of Rebirth trembled within the flames, shattered, and, using the blaze as nourishment, broke through the scorched earth to grow.
A brilliant golden light shone everywhere.
Mu Huaidong's and Wei Ziren's bodies trembled violently. They recalled the records left behind by their ancestor, Feng Hua Chuan—the one who had achieved Body Ascension—in the secret teachings of the Cyan Wood Heart Intent.
Cyan Wood is without feeling, but man has sentiment. Only when the True Intent is obtained like fire can a lotus sprout from the soil.
They had searched fruitlessly for the method, but today, they finally grasped its True Intent.
Meanwhile, the turbulent True Intent in Yi Beidou's mind subsided, and the spiritual phenomenon manifested by his aura vanished without a trace.
Yi Beidou could easily imitate ordinary Martial Arts, Techniques, Breathing Techniques, and even the intent of Soul Capturing and Soul Stealing.
But this was the True Intent of a Body Ascension Saint Expert breaking through the limits of the human body. Without relying on the residual Mind Sensing, even Yi Beidou could not have replicated it so easily.
If he could replicate it at will, why would he even be seeking it?
He retracted his aura, returning to normal. With his eyes slightly closed and his consciousness focused inward, he seemed to be savoring the aftertaste of that True Intent.
As for Mu Huaidong, Wei Ziren, and even Wu Xianjue and Tang Zhihe, they all simply sat down cross-legged, closed their eyes, and began to carefully comprehend and savor the experience. An opportunity like this was incredibly rare. If they could grasp it, their Martial Arts Dao might advance to a higher level, perhaps even allowing them a glimpse into that legendary realm.
Meanwhile, the ordinary disciples of the Cyan Wood Heart Intent Sect, though not qualified to comprehend the insight, had never witnessed such a legendary event. They were all in a state of shock, unable to speak. For a moment, the entire area fell silent.
The sage demonstrated the Dao, shaking the hearts of all.
After a long while, Mu Huaidong slowly opened his eyes, stood up, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Yi Beidou.
"Today, our Cyan Wood Heart Intent Sect was graced by your guidance and teaching of the Dao. We will never forget this kindness for as long as we live," Mu Huaidong said with utmost sincerity.
Although Yi Beidou had forced his way into their sect and injured people, compared to the grace of this teaching, such grievances were not worth mentioning. He would even be willing to pay a much higher price.
The Great Dao is priceless.
"No need to thank me. I was merely repaying a favor to your ancestor. It was nothing. Now, can you tell me why Feng Hua Chuan died?" Yi Beidou asked. He hadn't learned the cause of Feng Hua Chuan's death from his sensing.
"Back then, our ancestor accepted an invitation to travel north and fight a Saint who had achieved Body Ascension from Japan. He never returned, and his body was never even found. As for what exactly happened, no one can say for sure. I only know that Twelve Martial Saints from Japan entered the Divine Land at that time, turning our world completely upside down. Countless Martial Arts heroes perished, and many schools lost their lineages. To this day, many of their secret manuals and sole-surviving copies are still in Japan," Mu Huaidong replied.
"Is that so?"
Yi Beidou's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this.
「Meanwhile.」
Several police cars pulled up to the entrance of the Qingmu Health and Fitness Center. Zhou Baiwei had arrived with a dozen or so Special Security Bureau agents, along with the head of the Da Wu City local branch.
The group quickly entered the lobby and found it already crowded with members. From their chatter, Zhou Baiwei quickly pieced together what had happened.
'Forced his way into the center and started a direct conflict with the Cyan Wood Heart Intent Sect...'
'He just attacked their sect head-on and tried to force them to hand over their secret teachings?!'
'This is how that guy learns Martial Arts?! This is just blatant robbery!'
Zhou Baiwei's scalp tingled with dread. She couldn't imagine the chaos Yi Beidou would cause across the country if he were allowed to continue running amok like this.
"Quick! Take some people to the training hall!" Zhou Baiwei shouted. She was genuinely afraid she would arrive to a scene of carnage, with rivers of blood and bodies lying everywhere.
Secret teachings were the foundation of a school. A Martial Artist would rather die than submit. In a conflict, given that man's personality, it wouldn't be surprising if he struck too hard and killed someone.
However, when Zhou Baiwei and her team reached the entrance to the training hall, she stopped in her tracks. She saw several other familiar figures.
Wu Xianjue of Five Fire Refining Truth, and Tang Zhihe of Six Yang Qi.
'Both of them are renowned experts in Han Province. What are they doing here?'
Including Mu Huaidong, the Cyan Wood Heart Intent Sect Leader, several of them had visible injuries, but their attitude toward Yi Beidou was incredibly strange.
They were all utterly respectful. Zhou Baiwei could tell this reverence wasn't faked; it was a heartfelt, genuine submission. Mu Huaidong's words to Yi Beidou even carried a sense of gratitude.
'Gratitude?'
Zhou Baiwei's brain short-circuited.
'No matter how strong Yi Beidou is, to Mu Huaidong, he's an invader who forced his way in and tried to extort their secret teachings. They should be mortal enemies.'
'How could this guy get beaten up and end up feeling grateful? Do all the Martial Arts experts in Han Province have masochistic tendencies?'
"Um, can I ask what happened here just now?" Zhou Baiwei couldn't help but ask.
...
...
「A short time later, at the Special Security Bureau Headquarters in Kyoto.」
In the conference room, the top brass of the Special Security Bureau were gathered. Even those not physically present were attending via video conference.
"The files on the new Body Ascension Saint Expert from Wencheng have been sent to all of you. What are your thoughts?"
Seated at the head of the conference table was a middle-aged man with a serious expression, a slightly receding hairline, a prominent Fuxi Bone, and an appearance that suggested great fortune.
"Learning Martial Arts? Interesting. A Body Ascension Saint claims he doesn't know any Martial Arts?" a thin man said, pushing up the glasses on his face with an interested smile.
"His actions are rampant and lawless, showing a complete disregard for the rules. Does he really think achieving Body Ascension makes him invincible and allows him to do as he pleases? I think we should convene a High-level Conference and organize a force to suppress him," a middle-aged man with a square, righteous-looking face snorted coldly.
"I don't care about any of that. Twenty-seven years old and has already achieved Body Ascension—that's been rare since ancient times. A speed like that is not normal. Moreover, he seems to be connected to the Pioneer Group. My only concern is whether or not he is 'one of those people'?" another woman, who looked like a noble lady, said with narrowed eyes.
"Gui Qing, don't be so tense. Even if he is one of 'those people,' they aren't all our enemies. They can be our friends, too."
"From the intelligence gathered by our department so far, this person is likely not one of them. His master, however—the being known as the 'Wandering Immortal'—almost certainly is. The Pioneer Group has been searching everywhere for traces he left behind. We have intelligence confirming that this master may no longer be alive. He was in opposition to the Pioneer Group. From that perspective, it might be worthwhile to befriend this person from Wencheng," the middle-aged man at the head of the table said.