Before heading to the Martial Saint Hall, Xiao Wuchen needed to analyse the intelligence provided by the Left Commander thoroughly. Although this cooperation was fraught with risk, for Xiao Wuchen it was a way of acquiring intelligence quickly and weakening the Xuan Yin Sect's forces.
He took out the map of the Xuan Yin Sect's hideout that had been given to him by the Left Commander. It encompassed dozens of strongholds around the capital and detailed the frequency and size of Xuan Yin Sect activity.
He activated the system again, comparing the map with the information he had obtained from the Evil-Repelling Steward and the intelligence he had gathered through side quests.
[System Analysis: Xuan Yi Guard Intelligence Map]
Intelligence coverage: Highly accurate, covering 80% of the Xuan Yin Sect's outer strongholds.
Purpose Analysis: The Left Commander intends to use the host to clear out the outer forces and guide them to investigate the core.
Trap location:
Stronghold A: An abandoned mine in Changping County. This location is concealed by a True Qi Locking Array, which was set up by the Black-Clad Guards. Once a martial artist enters and uses their True Qi, the array activates, temporarily sealing their True Qi in an attempt to capture a Foundation Establishment Realm expert alive.
Outpost B (Extremely High Risk): An ancient temple located at the foot of West Mountain. This was not an Xuan Yin Sect outpost, but rather a secret rendezvous point for the Left Governor. If discovered, the host would be considered a "spy" and face annihilation at the hands of the Black-Clad Guards.
The system's cold notification confirmed Xiao Wuchen's suspicions. The Left Governor had never truly trusted him; the so-called cooperation was nothing more than a calculated 'using someone else to kill'.
'Are you going to capture me alive and present me to the Emperor or some mysterious force as a bargaining chip to bring down the Xuan Yin Sect?' Xiao Wuchen sneered as he firmly memorised the location of the trap.
Despite the potential pitfalls, the information provided by the Xuan Yi Guards was extremely valuable. The system analysed the core of the Xuan Yin Sect's actions for Xiao Wu Chen.
The Xuan Yin Sect's core objective: All their strongholds are distributed around several important spiritual points along the capital's ley lines. Combined with the discovery of the Jade Buddha Temple, it is clear that the Xuan Yin Sect is planning a massive array to extract spiritual energy from the capital's ley lines.
The location of the bloody sacrifice: The system speculates that, of all the strongholds, the one in the south-east corner, marked as a 'long-term sacrificial site', is the key location for the 'bloody sacrifice'. The energy fluctuations there are the most complex, and far exceed those of ordinary strongholds.
After returning from the Martial Saint Hall, Xiao Wu Chen decided to use this intelligence to investigate this crucial "bloody sacrifice" location first.
He kept the intelligence map hidden deep within his body, his vigilance towards the Left Governor reaching its peak. Having become a dual player in both power and martial arts, he must now utilise this complex situation with a perspective detached from court intrigue. The Martial Saint Hall would be his springboard to acquiring top-tier martial arts, consolidating his position and ultimately challenging the Xuan Yin Sect.
Situated atop a majestic, solitary mountain in the capital, the Martial Saint Hall symbolises the sublimity and independence of martial arts. Maintained jointly by successive imperial families and martial arts masters, the hall houses over 90% of the world's martial arts manuals, making it a sacred place for martial artists everywhere.
Xiao Wuchen entered the Martial Saint Hall, holding a gold-embossed invitation.
The ancient and solemn hall was thick with the weight of time. This 'martial arts exchange' had brought together leading experts from various sects, including many grandmasters who had reached the pinnacle of the Meridian Establishment Realm and beyond.
Xiao Wuchen's appearance undoubtedly attracted immense attention.
"Xiao Wuchen of the Rootless Sect!"
'He actually dared to come? Is he here to dispel the rumours about his supposed descent into the demonic path?"
Many martial artists cast scrutinising, curious and even disdainful glances. But Xiao Wuchen remained steadfast. The stability of his Meridian Establishment Realm gave him composure, and, coupled with the serene state of mind he had achieved through the Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha mental cultivation technique, he faced the assembled heroes with neither arrogance nor servility.
Exchanges at the Martial Saint Hall primarily consisted of martial arts discussions and demonstrations. During these discussions, two senior disciples from the Haoran Sword Sect attempted to discredit Xiao Wuchen's cultivation method by accusing him of having an "imbalance of Yin and Yang" and an "improper Dao heart", in an attempt to cement his reputation as a "demonic practitioner".
'Lord Xiao, martial arts emphasise balance between Yin and Yang. Your cultivation method has lost its foundation; how can it possibly reach the highest level?" a Sword Sect disciple demanded sharply.
Xiao Wuchen remained unmoved, replying in a deep voice: 'The principle of martial arts lies in "breaking through illusions" and "seeking truth". What I seek is the ultimate, supremely yang martial art, using its fierce power to refine all yin and evil!'
He circulated his inner energy and a faint layer of scorching golden light appeared around his body. The cultivation method he practised was essentially a system modified by the Evil-Repelling Master based on the Sunflower Manual, combined with Buddhist mental techniques and supremely Yang cultivation methods. Although it was an extreme path, its supremely Yang nature was precisely what could counteract most Yin and evil techniques in the martial world.
'If martial arts claim to be orthodox but cannot tolerate unorthodox exploration, then that is the true decline of martial arts!'
Xiao Wuchen's argument gained the approval of some neutral rogue cultivators, and was proven during the subsequent martial arts demonstration.
During the demonstration, Xiao Wuchen did not perform any flashy moves; he simply displayed the ferocity of the Burning Heaven Palm and the composure of the Foundation Establishment Realm, stunning the entire audience.
A Grandmaster-level martial artist personally stepped down to spar with Xiao Wuchen. During the sparring, Xiao Wuchen fully activated the Flower Blooms to Reveal the Buddha mental cultivation method.
Xiao Wuchen reaped immense benefits from the recognition he received from the Martial Saint Hall.
1. Enhanced status: His name was officially recorded in the "List of Rising Martial Arts Talents" at the Martial Saint Hall, surpassing many scions of established families.
2. Knowledge Acquisition: Thanks to his "Martial Arts Exchange" privileges, Xiao Wuchen was granted access to the inner layers of the Martial Saint Hall, where he could study some of the finest martial arts texts.
Rather than trying to acquire too much, he focused on finding manuals that could help him refine his existing cultivation system, particularly those relating to "Body Refinement" and "Formation Techniques", to complement his newly acquired "Indestructible Body Fragment" and "Introduction to Formations".
[System Prompt:]
The host has acquired martial arts knowledge within the Martial Saint Hall and obtained a fragment of the Indestructible Body (a rare item).
The host has obtained the Circulation Qi Guiding Technique (Fragment)—a top-tier mental cultivation method to assist in circulating true qi.
Merit points: +600 (extra merit points due to the Martial Arts Hall's recognition).
This trip to the Martial Saint Hall not only cleared Xiao Wuchen of some of his stigma, but also transformed him from a palace guard into a "rising star in martial arts", greatly facilitating his future actions in the martial world.