Chapter 177 - Innate Martial Dao

In Haojing, Yuanqi, the half-broken Dazhong, and Jin Buyi examined the traces. Xu Ying’s residence had been reduced to an empty land; the entire building had vanished into thin air.

Jin Buyi plucked a feather and blew on it. It instantly ignited into a blazing flame, burning through the fractures in space to trace the outline of a cube in the air.

Strange patterns appeared on all six sides of the cube: imprints of a Heavenly Dao rune. Clearly, someone had just used a Heavenly Dao divine ability to sever Xu Ying’s space and send it elsewhere.

The burning feather dimmed its fiery light and burrowed into the void with a soft whoosh.

Where the fiery feather vanished, the space rippled like water.

“I will turn my feather into an incarnation to follow the spatial shift and track him down.”

Old and decrepit, Jin Buyi leaned on a dazzling divine saber and said unhurriedly, “The residual spatial energy left by the enemy is only enough for me to send one of my feathers over. It can't handle any more than that.”

Showing no trace of anxiety, he said, “This has happened many times before. Rest assured, I’ll find him.”

Yuanqi said, “I can help you!”

Although only half-forged, Dazhong floated into the air and said, “One of you has a terrible memory, and the other suffers from intermittent amnesia. I cannot let you go alone.”

Yuanqi said, “Master Zhong, you only have half a body. You should stay behind and let Old Ancestor Chanchan finish forging you before joining us."

Dazhong laughed. “Although I’m broken, my mind is sounder than yours. Without me by your side, you’ll surely get into a lot of trouble! Moreover, Old Ancestor Chanchan will come along, won’t she?”

Zhu Chanchan sneered coldly, “Why would I tag along for your business? We’re not that close. I’m an official of the emperor of Zhou, and I still have to build Haojing. Forgive me for not joining you!”

She turned to leave.

Dazhong promptly said, “There’s no time to lose! Master Jin, you lead the way. Let’s set out quickly!”

Jin Buyi swept his wings and plunged his divine sabers into the ground. “Get on me.”

Yuanqi and Dazhong hurried onto his back. Yuanqi said carefully, “Master Jin, please don’t cook me alive by accident.”

Jin Buyi flapped his wings and soared into the air, calling out, “Sit tight!”

Suddenly, his whole body burst into flames. Flapping his wings, he turned into a stream of rainbow light and shot through the sky. The next moment, he spanned the sky like a bridge, landing a thousand li away on the opposite side!

Moving at lightning speed, Jin Buyi chased after his fiery feather. He covered tens of thousands of li in the blink of an eye, flying through mountain ranges. Suddenly, the Three-Legged Golden Crow slowed and landed on a mountain peak that stood rigid like a withered tree, and began to preen his feathers unhurriedly.

Jin Buyi discovered a snake and a bell hidden within his feathers and exclaimed in shock, “Who are you? How did you guys get on my back?!”

Yuanqi and Dazhong felt a chill in their hearts. Yuanqi hurriedly explained, “Master Jin, don’t you recognize me? I am Yuanqi, and this is Master Zhong. We’re on our way to find Ah Ying. He’s gone missing. You used your fiery feather to track him. Now, you’re the only one who can find him.”

Jin Buyi looked at them blankly; the white feathers on his face trembled. “I don’t know what fiery feather you’re talking about, and I don’t know you... Ah Ying, where are you? Ah Ying?”

Just as Yuanqi and Dazhong were at their wits’ end, a green mountain peak suddenly flew through the air and crashed down onto a mountain peak.

Zhu Chanchan stood atop the green mountain peak and chuckled. “How did Ah Ying help him regain his memory before? Can't we just use the same method?”

“Old Ancestor Chanchan!” Yuanqi and Dazhong were surprised and delighted.

Dazhong recalled that Jin Buyi originally had terrible memory. Xu Ying had previously fed him Origin Dao Essence paired with longevity immortal herbs from his Mud-Pill Secret Trove to spark his vigor and slowly restore his memories.

Once Dazhong recounted that, Zhu Chanchan and Yuanqi immediately transferred some longevity immortal herbs to Jin Buyi. Jin Buyi soon remembered what had happened earlier and said urgently, “There’s no time to lose. Let’s get moving immediately!”

Zhu Chanchan activated her Flying Peak as she continued tempering Dazhong. She chuckled. “Except for Haojing, I don’t like leaving artifacts half-forged.”

Dazhong found her hammering comfortable. Chanchan is a responsible Master Craftsman. I’d misunderstood her before, thinking she would secretly leave her imprint on me... Wait!

He suddenly grew wary inside. How did Chanchan track us here? She must have relied on her resonance with artifacts to find this place so quickly... She must have branded her imprint on Master Qi!

***

Xu Ying awoke from his slumber with a splitting headache. He shot upright and pressed a hand against his forehead as a tidal wave of unfamiliar memories flooded his consciousness.

The original owner of this body was also named Xu Ying. He was the fourth son of Xu Menglong, Prince Xiang of the Great Xia Kingdom. Born to a concubine, his existence within the Xu clan had been miserable.

Xu Ying felt a sharp pain in his forehead. He reached up and felt a deep scar. He remembered that the previous Xu Ying had been exceptionally forbearing and tried to lie low, fearing his siblings would assassinate him if he stood out.

After all, power struggles within prominent clans were extremely fierce, especially in a noble clan like the Prince of Xiang’s, which carried the imperial bloodline. The fight for the succession was nothing short of a bloodbath.

The original Xu Ying had accidentally let slip that he was a martial arts genius. As a result, he was ambushed and struck down by a cowardly plot. According to those lingering memories, he had languished in bed for two months, unable to heal.

The final blow came when news arrived of his mother's murder. Overwhelmed by grief and fury, his ancient injuries flared up, snuffing out his remaining life.

Xu Ying felt a wave of sympathy. You were named Xu Ying, and I am Xu Ying, too. As your soul scattered, mine took root in your vessel. Heaven’s will has granted me a second chance through your flesh. From this day forth...

He swung his legs over the bed and stood tall, a glint in his eyes. I am the fourth heir of the Prince of Xiang, Xu Ying! If your spirit is watching from heaven, don't worry. I will live well using your identity, and I will avenge you!

A new life, here I come! Hahaha... Wait, who am I?

Xu Ying froze. He tried to remember why he was here. His original home, it seemed, had been a settlement known as Xujiaping Village. A massive fire had ravaged Xujiaping Village, and he had perished in the flames.

His soul had drifted across endless voids until a violent pull yanked him straight into this dead body.

Never mind that! From today on, I shall begin a new life!

Brimming with confidence, the formula for a cultivation technique suddenly surged into his mind: the Great Xia Dragon-Sparrow Art. Despite its name, it actually involved cultivating saber qi.

This cultivation technique had nine levels. The original owner had reached the seventh level, but others discovered him when he accidentally revealed his saber qi. That led to the ambush that claimed his life.

The highest realm in this world is called the Nine Innate Realms, and reaching the ninth level makes one an Earthly Immortal! Once this Xu Ying cultivates this art to the ninth level, he’ll be able to advance into the Innate Realm and achieve the grand reversal into the innate state!

Xu Ying organized the other Xu Ying’s memories and thought, To have reached such a level at such a young age, he truly possesses extraordinary talent. Unfortunately, an expert in the Second Innate Realm ambushed him.

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard footsteps. He looked over quickly and saw an old man walk in with a frown, carrying a bowl of medicine. A clang echoed through the room as the old man dropped the bowl of medicine, and it hit the floor.

The frowning old man looked at him with shock and delight. Unable to hold back his choked sobs, he said in a hoarse voice, “Young Master, you’re finally awake...”

Searching the body's memories, Xu Ying recognized the old man as Fu Yi, a fiercely loyal servant who had served his mother.

“Uncle Yi, I’m awake.”

Sharp confidence flashed in Xu Ying’s gaze. “Rest assured, Uncle Yi. I won't put myself in danger again. I will live my life anew, avenge my mother, and reclaim what is rightfully mine!"

Fu Yi gave a gratified smile and wiped the tears from his eyes. “Since you have this determination, Young Master, I will do everything in my power to support you, even if it means death!”

Xu Ying nodded heavily. “I won’t betray your expectations, Uncle Yi!”

A sharp light flashed in Fu Yi’s eyes as he said, “My secret investigations revealed that Jin Peng ambushed you. He is a Second Innate Realm expert under the State Preceptor, commissioned by the First Heir Apparent!”

Xu Ying snorted, his eyes blazing with hatred. “Jin Peng? Uncle Yi, don’t lay a finger on Jin Peng. Leave him to me!”

Fu Yi looked up in surprise. Puzzled, he said, “Young Master...”

Xu Ying said calmly, “Uncle Yi, if I’m not mistaken, you’re also an Innate Realm expert, right? You stayed by my mother’s side all this time to protect us. With your strength, taking out Jin Peng would not be a problem, but I want to take revenge with my own hands!”

Fu Yi couldn't hold back his tears again and choked, “Young Master, you’ve truly grown up.”

Xu Ying exuded a faint air of dominance as he said, “Uncle Yi, I’m no longer the same person I used to be.”

Fu Yi wiped away his tears, his face set with determination. “Since you possess such fierce resolve, I shan’t interfere in this matter. However, Young Master, Her Highness’ death is connected to another matter. I’m going to investigate it. Please be careful in the meantime!”

Xu Ying nodded and said calmly, “Rest assured. Now that I’ve awakened, no one can harm me anymore!”

Overwhelmed with profound emotion, Fu Yi turned and left. He muttered under his breath, “Are you seeing this, Young Miss? The young master has finally grown up. He’s grown up...”

Once he had left, Xu Ying also stepped out of the room.

Inside the Prince of Xiang's Mansion, the youth was met with the dirty looks and biting mockery of the household servants. Yet he brushed it off like a gentle breeze.

I need to hurry up, cultivate, and break through to the Innate Realm as soon as possible! With the experience of two lifetimes, hehe, it won’t be difficult to make a name for myself! First heir apparent, disciple of the state preceptor, just you wait! I’ll surely shock the world with a single, thunderous cry like the dragon-sparrow of Great Xia!

***

Fu Yi left the Prince of Xiang’s Mansion in a hurry. The capital of Great Xia was a prosperous, dangerous city brimming with hidden Innate Realm experts. He walked into a teahouse, where a red-robed woman and a white-haired elder sat by a window playing chess.

Fu Yi's frown vanished. His wrinkles smoothed into a warm, blossoming smile.

“Yutang, Bei Chen, how leisurely you both are, while I had to put on a performance at the Prince of Xiang’s Mansion!”

Stepping forward, he poured himself a cup of tea, threw his head back, and downed it in one shot.

Fairy Yutang smiled. “How did it go? Did he remember anything from his past life?”

Fu Yi’s wrinkles bloomed as he chuckled. “Of course not. He has completely adopted his new identity and is planning to avenge himself and his mother.”

Bei Chenzi couldn’t help but laugh. “Supreme God Heaven’s Will actually found a world this depleted of spirit qi! The people here know nothing of Qi cultivation and aren't even Exorcists. In a place like this, he will surely fade into obscurity.”

Fairy Yutang sighed. “It might actually be a good thing for him if he fulfills his wish in this lifetime and blends into the common crowd.”

Fu Yi said, “It’s also a good thing for us.”

***

Keeping a low profile inside the Prince of Xiang’s Mansion, Xu Ying channeled the Great Xia Dragon-Sparrow Art.

This technique is already the top martial art in the Prince of Xiang’s Mansion. It refines vital energy into a sharp saber qi coiled by a dragon-sparrow, making it extremely sharp. However, I’m afraid this cultivation technique isn’t enough for me to reach the Innate Realm...

Just as he thought of this, he suddenly realized that something was wrong with the Great Xia Dragon-Sparrow Art.

Xu Ying pondered aloud, “Cultivating this way requires me to refine my vital energy into a dragon-sparrow. That’s not the origin of martial arts. It should be people using their own bodies to defy nature, to resist external enemies, tyranny, and the Heavenly Dao. So, what’s the use in refining my vital energy into a dragon-sparrow? I should be cultivating myself!”

He surged his vital energy, focused his mind, and united his body and intent. Channeling the Great Xia Dragon-Sparrow Art, he simplified the martial art, cast away the dragon-sparrow, and focused solely on the saber intent!

With every punch and kick he unleashed, saber qi burst forth from him. Within him, the Five Sacred Immortal Mountains roared, his five viscera glowed, the Heavenly River surged with accelerating momentum, and his bone marrow flowed.

As Xu Ying cleansed his physique and circulated the Great Xia Dragon-Sparrow Art several cycles, he easily broke through to the eighth level!

In just a brief moment, Xu Ying progressed another level in this cultivation technique and reached the ninth level.

He didn’t stop there. The saber qi within him transformed into innate augmented qi, and he officially stepped into the Innate Realm!

He immersed himself in cultivation, forgetting about the time and his enemies. He focused solely on advancing in the Dao of martial arts, breaking through the First, Second, and Third Innate Realm one by one!

Fu Yi sipped his tea as he observed the game of chess.

To the people of this low-level martial world, they were lofty old immortals, invisible to outside eyes. They possessed immense power, capable of warping heaven and earth, and could rewrite human consciousness with a mere flicker of divine sense.

This world posed no threat to them.

Moreover, Supreme God Heaven’s Will was watching this place. There wouldn’t be any risk.

Suddenly, an ancient, boundless aura enveloped the capital city, forming a faint rainbow light in the sky above, hanging brilliantly.

Fu Yi, Bei Chenzi, and Yutang looked up. Many ancient consciousnesses within Great Xia’s capital awoke one after another and collided.

“Someone has reached the Peak Innate Realm again.”

“In close to twenty years, he’s the only one who managed to reach the Peak Innate Realm.”

“Much like ourselves. I can sense the Great Dao of the Primordial Beginning Realm rejoicing, resonating with the emergence of another Innate Realm being.”

......

The trio keenly perceived these consciousnesses. Fairy Yutang had some understanding of this world, so she explained, “This heavenly phenomenon occurs when someone breaks through to the Ninth Innate Realm. Those who reach this level are already the strongest beings in this world.”

The three withdrew their gazes, paying it no heed.

Fu Yi said, “I’ll go see Xu Ying again in a few days and tell him his late mother was actually the saintess of a mysterious sect, and that I was the guardian tasked with protecting her. Now that she is gone, he is the sect's rightful saint.”

He grumbled, “Don’t just play chess. Go look around to see if there’s any sect in this world that fits our script.”

Bei Chenzi shrugged it off and chuckled. “We can look after this game. In a world this primitive, finding a suitable sect will be a breeze. Even if we can’t find one, we can just pick a random group and rewrite their memories to fabricate a background for him. It’s no trouble at all.”

Fu Yi thought about it. Indeed, it made sense, and so he didn’t press the matter any further.

In the Prince of Xiang’s Mansion, Xu Ying broke through to the Ninth Innate Realm. I’ve already reached the highest level of the Innate Realm, but why do I sense that there’s a higher realm beyond the ninth? Could the Nine Innate Realms not be the limit?

He continued to study and refine his martial Dao. His every move no longer conformed to the Great Xia Dragon-Sparrow Art. Instead, they were self-created moves. His vital energy also no longer circulated according to the technique, but in a unique pathway.

Just like that, he broke through to the Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Innate Realm...

By the time Xu Ying awoke from his Dao immersion through martial arts, he had raised the Innate Realm to the two hundred fifty-third level.

Strange, it seems possible to break through beyond the Innate Realm!

Xu Ying continued cultivating and lost track of time as he immersed himself in exploring martial arts once more.

He cultivated to the nine hundred ninety-ninth level in the Innate Realm before awakening from his Dao immersion and finally emerging from seclusion.

Three days had passed.